Local Research
& Reports
Local Research & Reports
Local Research and Reports
Evaluation of opt-out testing for blood borne viruses (HIV, HCV and HBV) in emergency departments.
Anyone aged 16 years and over attending an emergency department (ED) in very high or high HIV prevalence areas (including Bristol) and having a routine blood test is automatically tested for blood borne viruses (BBV) – HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV), unless they say they don’t want to be checked for these viruses (opt-out). This is happening in more places to diagnose more people who may not know they have HIV, HBV, or HCV. These people can then be treated which should stop the viruses from damaging their health and stop new cases of these viruses.
Researchers from the University of Bristol are working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to examine how to improve how the testing is carried out and how people who test positive are supported to receive care. To check if the testing is working well, they will also look at how many people should get tested, how many do, who gets diagnosed, who is supported to receive care. They are also looking at how much the testing costs and if it improves people’s health compared to the previous way of offering tests.
The team’s evaluation report of the first 12 months of the opt-out bloodborne virus testing in emergency departments can be found here.
Accessing PrEP through pharmacies to improve HIV prevention
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that HIV-negative people can take before and after sex to reduce their risk of getting HIV. PrEP is available for free from NHS sexual health clinics in England. However, some people may find it difficult to access PrEP because of the stigma associated with using sexual health services. University of Bristol researchers are examining if it is possible to use pharmacies to deliver PrEP to improve access. Find out more about the study here
Examining how to improve HIV prevention and testing in GP practices
People can live for many years without knowing they are HIV positive. They may visit their GP several times with symptoms related to HIV but are not always tested for it. University of Bristol researchers are examining ways to increase HIV testing in GP practices and how GP practices can increase access to PrEP. Find out more about the study here
Common Ambition Bristol (CAB):
African and Caribbean heritage community members co-producing interventions to reduce HIV stigma and increase HIV testing.
CAB is a community driven project, working to reduce HIV stigma and increase HIV testing among people of African and Caribbean heritage In Bristol. University of Bristol researchers are examining the co-production process, the experience of the interventions and the impact the interventions make on HIV testing and access to PrEP. Find out more about the evaluation here
Introducing sexual health test vending machines
Vending machines dispensing test kits for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were introduced across Bristol North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. University of Bristol researchers found vending machines could be useful for improving access to sexual health testing for people who have never tested or don’t test often. Users valued machines for their convenience, ease of use and instant access. Find out more about the evaluation here
Hearts and Minds Evaluation
A collaborative training resource using creative engagement to reduce HIV stigma in healthcare. In the autumn 2022 UHBW (University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust) supported the delivery of three Hearts and Minds HIV stigma training events with Trust staff in Central Bristol. This brief report summarises the findings from evaluation surveys completed by those who attended. Read the evaluation here
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