The INITIAL study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving HPV, HAV and HBV vaccination offer and uptake at UK sexual health clinics amongst gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men: A co-design study
IRAS ID
328525
Contact name
Harriet Fisher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
BACKGROUND: The human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A (HAV) and B (HBV) vaccines are recommended for gay and bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) because of their higher risk of infection. However, uptake remains sub-optimal.
AIM: To explore ways to increase the uptake of HPV, HAV and HBV vaccination programmes amongst GBMSM.
DESIGN AND METHODS: There are four parts to the proposed research.
1) A scoping exercise will be carried out to identify barriers and facilitators to vaccination programme delivery and factors amenable to change through intervention. This will involve: (i) reviewing relevant literature; (ii) evaluating local and national documents (e.g. vaccination protocols, communication materials); (iii) examining vaccine uptake data, and; (iv) undertaking consultations with GBMSM and key stakeholders. Together, these will be used to determine the focus of the further research activity.
2) We will undertake qualitative interviews with key stakeholders and GBMSM to explore the issues identified in the scoping exercise. Purposive sampling will be used to ensure representation of participants from underserved communities, and by vaccination status and use of sexual health services.
3) We will develop recommendations and intervention materials/messaging to support changes in service delivery and/or staff/GBMSM behaviour with the aim of increasing the offer and uptake of HPV/HAV/HBV vaccination
4) Finally, we will organise two stakeholder workshops to feedback study findings and discuss wider implementation of the recommendations and intervention materials.
DISSEMINATION: The results and lessons learned will be shared with wider stakeholder groups including NHS and local authority commissioners, sexual health services providers and other relevant organisations. We will present our findings at academic conferences and through at least one publication in a scientific journal.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0159
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion