EASE-MH Study

Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is important to help stop the spread of infections and maintaining good sexual health. It’s also important that everyone can access reproductive healthcare, like contraception, so they can make safe and informed choices about their bodies and relationships. However, there is limited research about how easy it is for people with mental health difficulties to use sexual and reproductive health services. This study will look at what makes it harder or easier for people to get the care they need in the West Midlands. The results will help services understand how they can do better and support more people.

• Dr Charlotte Spurway
• Professor Louise Jackson
• Professor Jonathan Ross

This research will answer the following questions:

1. 1. What is the existing evidence relating to knowledge and access to STI testing and provision of contraception for people with mental health difficulties?
   2. What are the barriers and facilitators affecting knowledge and access to STI testing and provision of contraception in people with mental health difficulties in the West Midlands?

This study has two work packages.

The first will review existing research to understand what’s already known about the topic and where there are gaps in knowledge. We will investigate how people with mental health difficulties find out about sexual and reproductive health services, how they use these services and their experiences.

The second work package will involve carrying out in-depth interviews with people who use (or might use) sexual and reproductive health services, as well as healthcare professionals and others who work in the field. We want to understand what helps or makes it harder for people with mental health difficulties to access these services, and how accessible finding out information about services is.

Once we’ve completed the first two parts of the project, we will hold an in-person workshop in Birmingham to help turn our findings into practical recommendations. Around 20 people will take part, including healthcare professionals, people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, community organisations, and patient representatives. Together, they’ll help shape ideas for improving services and suggest areas for future research.

The study is being run across the West Midlands, with support from Umbrella at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). 

The study will be opening to recruitment soon. Please check back shortly for updates on how you can take part.

Contact the Study Research Team for more information.