Understanding the barriers and facilitators to using self‐sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections and blood‐borne viruses: Thematic analyses for intervention optimization
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Authors
Flowers, Paul
Vojt, Gabriele
Pothoulaki, Maria
Mapp, Fiona
Owusu, Melvina Woode
Estcourt, Claudia
Cassell, Jackie A.
Saunders, John
Issue Date
2022-08-02
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Barriers , Blood‐Borne Viruses , Facilitators , Intervention Optimization , Qualitative , Self‐Sampling , Sexual Health , Sexually Transmitted Infections
Alternative Title
Abstract
Purpose:
Self‐sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood‐borne viruses (BBVs) are widely offered. There are ongoing problems with reach and sample return rates. The packs have arisen without formal intervention development. This paper illustrates initial steps of an intervention optimization process to improve the packs.
Methods:
Eleven focus groups and seven interviews were conducted with convenience samples of patients recruited from sexual health clinics and members of the public (n = 56). To enable intervention optimization, firstly, we conducted an inductive appraisal of the behavioural system of using the pack to understand meaningful constituent behavioural domains. Subsequently, we conducted a thematic analysis of barriers and facilitators to enacting each sequential behavioural domain in preparation for future behaviour change wheel analysis.
Results:
Overall, we found that self‐sampling packs were acceptable. Participants understood their overall logic and value as a pragmatic intervention that simultaneously facilitated and reduced barriers to individuals being tested for STIs and BBVs. However, at the level of each behavioural domain (e.g., reading leaflets, returning samples) problems with the pack were identified, as well as a series of potential optimizations, which might widen the reach of self‐sampling and increase the return of viable samples.
Conclusions:
This paper provides an example of a pragmatic approach to optimizing an intervention already widely offered globally. The paper demonstrates the added value health psychological approaches offer; conceptualizing interventions in behavioural terms, pinpointing granular behavioural problems amenable for systematic further improvement.
Description
Citation
Flowers, P., Vojt, G., Pothoulaki, M., Mapp, F., Woode Owusu, M., Estcourt, C., Cassell, J. A., & Saunders, J. (2023). Understanding the barriers and facilitators to using self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne viruses: Thematic analyses for intervention optimization. British journal of health psychology, 28(1), 156–173. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12617
Publisher
British Journal of Health Psychology