A growing body of literature highlights multiple barriers for men seeking help following experiences of Domestic Abuse (DA). Men’s intersectional identity as fathers may result in additional barriers to help-seeking, leading to unmet needs for themselves and their children. The current study explored fathers’ experiences of help-seeking, access to support, and existing provision, to understand what type of intervention support could, in principle, be feasible, acceptable and effective in meeting their needs. This was a qualitative sub-study nested within a feasibility trial of a domestic abuse intervention targeting mothers and children. We recruited and undertook semi-structured interviews with fathers (n = 5) who self-identified as victims of DA through a men’s service and social media adverts, and analyzed the data using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. We generated five themes: (1) Male identity and self-acceptance of victim status, (2) The intersection of fatherhood with men’s identity as a victim of DA, (3) Recognition of DA against fathers by professionals, (4) Impacts of DA and subsequent separation from children and (5) Getting help for children. Men discussed challenges in accepting their own victim status alongside a masculine identity, as well as their intersectional identity as fathers. Additionally, they reported challenges in the recognition and acceptance of their identity as a victim by professionals, which impacted support provision for themselves and their children. This study provides an insight into the range of fathers’ perceived barriers to help-seeking, which in turn, were perceived to influence subsequent support and intervention needs for themselves and their children. We make practical recommendations for future research into service response and intervention development aimed at supporting the recovery of fathers and their children following these experiences.
Background Recent research has concluded that primary care assessment and management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) requires practical resources. Aim To develop and independently validate risk-prediction models for three common urological conditions based on a combination of simple, minimally invasive index tests in men with LUTS presenting to primary care. Design and setting A prospective, multicentre, diagnostic accuracy study with independent development and validation cohorts set in 67 general practices in England and Wales. Method A total of 601 men presenting to primary care with LUTS, 350 in the development cohort and 251 in the validation cohort, underwent index tests — validated symptom assessment, bladder diary, physical examination, serum prostate specific antigen, uroflowmetry, and post-void residual volume estimation. Invasive urodynamic studies provided a diagnostic reference standard. Risk-prediction models for urodynamic diagnoses were developed and then validated in independent cohorts. Discriminative and calibration performance of the risk-prediction models for diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), detrusor underactivity (DU), and detrusor overactivity (DO) using the c-index, calibration slope and plot, and sensitivity and specificity of the models was undertaken. Results The BOO model from the development cohort demonstrated good discriminative performance (optimism-corrected c-index of 0.80). The models derived from the development cohort for DU and DO demonstrated moderate discriminative ability (optimism-corrected c-indices of 0.64 and 0.67, respectively). Similar estimates of c-index were observed for each model within the independent validation cohort (BOO, 0.82; DU, 0.63; and DO, 0.62). Conclusion Using a combination of simple, non-invasive index tests can accurately predict common urological diagnoses in men with LUTS, potentially facilitating earlier initiation of evidence-based treatments and improved management in primary care.
Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA) is a significant social issue, but to date, there is limited understanding of how it is conceptualized by different stakeholders. This scoping review and qualitative synthesis aimed to: (a) Map the concepts used by stakeholders to describe CAPVA and (b) Generate a theoretical model to explain how stakeholders conceptualize CAPVA in terms of context, conditions, mechanisms, and outcomes. Searches were conducted in eleven bibliographic databases in June 2023 and updated in December 2024. Supplementary searches were conducted, including forward citation tracking and grey literature searching. All eligible reports were included in the scoping review and then theoretically sampled for inclusion in the qualitative synthesis. Quality appraisal was conducted with studies included in the synthesis. Sixty reports, linked to 45 studies, were eligible for the scoping review, while 39 reports were included in the synthesis. Common concepts describing the presentation of CAPVA included a range of violent and abusive behaviors. Different contributory factors and causes were identified across different socio-ecological system levels, highlighting heterogeneity. These included societal norms and expectations (n = 16), school struggles (n = 31), parenting (n = 32) and emotional regulation (n = 37). In the study samples included in the review, professionals and biological parents were represented more than children and young people and other parental figures. The synthesis developed four conceptual models utilized by stakeholders to explain CAPVA: patriarchy; family and parenting; symptom of wider conditions; and symptom of trauma. These models can support the development of interventions that respond to different stakeholders' conceptualizations.
The UK government ‘Everyone In’ initiative in response to COVID-19 in England saw an unprecedented number of individuals experiencing homelessness moved into temporary accommodation (TA). A limited supply of settled housing meant swift access to settled accommodation (SA) would not be possible for all. This pilot RCT pursued a unique opportunity to examine the feasibility and acceptability of randomising people experiencing homelessness (PEH) to SA or TA and the impact on COVID-19 infection and housing instability. A pilot RCT, with embedded process and health economic evaluations. 1:1 participant randomisation to SA (intervention group) or TA (control group). Recruitment in two local authorities (LA) in England. Participants were aged 18 and over, in single-person homeless households, temporarily accommodated by the LA with recourse to public funds. Primary outcomes: (i) LA recruitment; (ii) Participant recruitment; (iii) participant retention; (iv) LA adherence. Secondary outcomes: (i) completeness of data collection at 3 and 6 months; (ii) data linkage: percentage of participants consenting to data linkage and successful match rate. Of 144 LAs approached, 26 showed interest in participating, two entered the trial. LA hesitancy to participate reflects an unease with trials in services where RCTs are rare. These recruitment challenges resulted in an amendment from full-scale effectiveness RCT to pilot RCT design. Fifty PEH were recruited (29 ISRCTN69564614 . Registered on December 16, 2020.
Lower urinary tract symptoms particularly affect older men and their quality of life. General practitioners currently have no easily available assessment tools to diagnose lower urinary tract symptom causes. Referrals to urology specialists are increasing. General practitioner access to simple, accurate tests and clinical decision tools could facilitate management of lower urinary tract symptoms in primary care. To determine which of several index tests in combination, best predicted three diagnoses (detrusor overactivity, bladder outlet obstruction and/or detrusor underactivity) in men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms in primary care. To develop and validate three diagnostic prediction models, and a prototype primary care clinical decision support tool. Prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Two participant cohorts, for development and validation, underwent simple index tests and a reference standard (invasive urodynamics). General practices in England and Wales. Men (16 years and over) consulting their general practitioner with lower urinary tract symptoms. Separate calculations for model development and validation cohorts, from literature estimates of detrusor overactivity, bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor underactivity prevalences of 57%, 31% and 16%, respectively. Twelve potential predictors considered for three diagnostic models. The primary outcome was diagnostic model sensitivity and specificity for detecting bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor underactivity and detrusor overactivity, with 75.0% considered minimum clinically useful performance. Three separate logistic regression models generated with index test variables to predict the presence of bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor overactivity, detrusor underactivity conditions in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. One model each was developed and validated for bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor underactivity, two for detrusor overactivity (detrusor overactivity main, detrusor overactivity sensitivity analysis 2). Age, voiding symptoms subscore, prostate-specific antigen level, median maximum flow rate, median voided volume were predictors for bladder outlet obstruction. Median maximum flow rate and post-void residual volume were predictors for detrusor underactivity. Age, post-void residual volume and median voided volume were included in detrusor overactivity main model, while age and storage symptoms subscore predicted detrusor overactivity sensitivity analysis 2. For all four models, sensitivity of 75.0% could be achieved with a specificity of 74.2%, 47.3%, 45.6% and 46.2% for bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor underactivity, detrusor overactivity main and detrusor overactivity sensitivity analysis 2 models, respectively. Similarly, a specificity of 75.0% could be achieved with a sensitivity of 71.3%, 39.8%, 33.3% and 62.7% for bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor underactivity, detrusor overactivity main and detrusor overactivity sensitivity analysis 2 models, respectively. The prototype tool (not yet intended for use in practice) is available at Primary care Management of lower Urinary tract Symptoms decision aid for lower urinary tract symptoms (shinyapps.io). General practitioner feedback during tool development and small-scale user-testing in simulated consultation scenarios was favourable. Patients supported such management in primary care. This was a prospective, multicentre study in an appropriate primary care population. Most of the index tests are possible routinely in primary care or at home by patients. The diagnostic models were validated in a separate cohort from the same population. Limitations include that target condition prevalences may differ in other populations. We identified sensitivities and specificities of diagnostic models for detrusor overactivity, bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor underactivity in routine United Kingdom practice and developed a prototype clinical decision support tool. Economic modelling, a feasibility trial and powered randomised controlled trial are needed to evaluate the Primary care Management of lower Urinary tract Symptoms tool in practice. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN10327305. This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 15/40/05) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 29, No. 1. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.
Girls’ physical activity levels decline to a greater extent than boys as they enter adolescence. Role model interventions offer a potential solution to combat this public health issue. This study reports findings of a feasibility study of the CHARMING (CHoosing Active Role Models to INspire Girls) programme, a 6-week after-school primary school-based, community linked, role-model intervention. Between January 2021 and August 2022, a feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT), with process and health economic evaluations was conducted in South Wales. Secondary schools were recruited, along with their adjoining primary schools to recruit Year 5 girls (aged 9–10 years). Role models were recruited from the surrounding school community (community role models) and from each secondary school (peer role models). A survey of self-reported outcome measures and accelerometers were administered at baseline and at 12 months. Following baseline, six primary schools were randomly allocated to intervention or control (usual practice) on a 2:1 basis. Post-intervention delivery, observations (n = 30), focus groups (n = 13) and interviews (n = 22) were conducted to explore study and intervention acceptability, feasibility and fidelity. Five pre-specified progression criteria included: implementation, attendance rates, and acceptability of the intervention, as well as completion of the primary outcome, including levels of completeness. One hundred and fifty-six girls from six primary schools (four intervention and two control) were eligible to take part. Of these, 96 (62
Health Pathfinder is a multilevel system change intervention initiated to transform the health response to domestic violence and abuse in eight sites in England. The current study drew upon interviews with health professionals ( n = 27) and victim-survivors ( n = 20) to provide a realist account of how this intervention achieved its goals. Findings show that five change mechanisms explain why Health Pathfinder was effective as an ecological intervention: awareness, expertise, relationships, empowerment, and evidence. Positive progress in respect of each mechanism had meaningful impacts on victim-survivor experiences of enquiry, disclosure, and uptake of services and had the potential to meaningfully impact health inequities.
In this brief report, we evaluate Health Pathfinder, a 'whole health response' to domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in the United Kingdom. We used two national datasets: monitoring data for highrisk cases, and a service-level database used to track the performance of DVA services across the UK. Drawing on a comparative interrupted time series analysis over 2018-2019, we considered the impact of implementation in each of the eight sites on rate of referral of high risk cases standardised by the number of adult women in each area, and on composition of victim-survivors seen by services. Implementation of Health Pathfinder was associated with a 10.9 per cent step change in the rate of high-risk referrals, and growth in subsequent quarters of 10.1 per cent. At the same time, implementation of Health Pathfinder was linked with a 33.6 per cent step change increase in the proportion of victim-survivors seen by services that were judged not to be at highest risk (that is, taking up services earlier). Our findings reflect both underlying system improvements across multiple stakeholders involved in Health Pathfinder as well as improved detection of DVA across a wider spectrum of risks, and provide additional evidence that multilevel interventions to improve DVA victim-survivors' experiences are effective.
Background/aims The value of using qualitative methods within clinical trials is widely recognised. How qualitative research is integrated within trials units to achieve this is less clear. This paper describes the process through which qualitative research has been integrated within Cardiff University's Centre for Trials Research (CTR) in Wales, UK. We highlight facilitators of, and challenges to, integration.Methods We held group discussions on the work of the Qualitative Research Group (QRG) within CTR. The content of these discussions, materials for a presentation in CTR, and documents relating to the development of the QRG were interpreted at a workshop attended by group members. Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) was used to structure analysis. A writing group prepared a document for input from members of CTR, forming the basis of this paper.Results Actions to integrate qualitative research comprised: its inclusion in Centre strategies; formation of a QRG with dedicated funding/roles; embedding of qualitative research within operating systems; capacity building/training; monitoring opportunities to include qualitative methods in studies; maximising the quality of qualitative research and developing methodological innovation. Facilitators of these actions included: the influence of the broader methodological landscape within trial/study design and its promotion of the value of qualitative research; and close physical proximity of CTR qualitative staff/students allowing sharing of methodological approaches. Introduction of innovative qualitative methods generated interest among other staff groups. Challenges included: pressure to under-resource qualitative components of research, preference for a statistical stance historically in some research areas and funding structures, and difficulties faced by qualitative researchers carving out individual academic profiles when working across trials/studies.Conclusions Given that CTUs are pivotal to the design and conduct of RCTs and related study types across multiple disciplines, integrating qualitative research into trials units is crucial if its contribution is to be fully realised. We have made explicit one trials unit's experience of embedding qualitative research and present this to open dialogue on ways to operationalise and optimise qualitative research in trials. NPT provides a valuable framework with which to theorise these processes, including the importance of sense-making and legitimisation when introducing new practices within organisations.
Abstract Purpose This study explored the involvement of community- and peer role models within the CHARMING (CHoosing Active Role Models to INspire Girls) intervention, aiming to increase and sustain physical activity among 9–10-year-old girls. CHARMING involves community role models delivering different 1-hour weekly taster physical activities with peer role models (e.g., older girls from secondary schools) supporting. Sessions take place after-school on the primary school premises over 6-weeks. The main research questions are i) Is it feasible and acceptable to recruit role models? and ii) What are the perceived barriers and facilitators to inclusion of peer role models within the intervention? This innovative research uses a theory-informed intervention which adopts a school-community partnership approach. Methods A mixed methods process evaluation was embedded within a larger feasibility study, involving three secondary schools and four adjoining primary schools in South Wales, United Kingdom. One-to-one interviews were conducted with teachers (N = 10) across the seven schools and community role models (N = 10). Focus groups were conducted with 18 peer role models and 31 girls aged 9-10-years who participated in the intervention. Primary school teachers kept observation logs of each intervention session. A researcher completed observation logs of two random sessions per school. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis with a combined deductive and inductive coding approach. Observation data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Data were triangulated and comparative analyses conducted across schools. Results Twenty-three peer role models (aged 12-16-years) and 16 community role models participated in intervention delivery. Overall, the inclusion of both types of role models was shown as acceptable and feasible within the CHARMING intervention. Six themes were identified during analyses; reach and access, communication, logistics, existing systems, interpersonal relationships, and perceived impacts. Themes were intertwined across the barriers and facilitators of recruitment and implementation. Observation data highlighted intervention components which were not implemented consistently by role models. Areas for future improvement were highlighted. Conclusions Findings can be used to optimise the CHARMING intervention and inform wider interventions or policies employing several role models across settings to promote physical activity among children. Funding Source Health Care Research Wales Health Award (HRG-18-1494), DECIPHer (MR/KO232331/1).
Background Role models have been identified as a potential means to tackle the persisting low levels of physical activity among young girls. The aim of this research was to explore the involvement of community- and peer role models within the CHARMING (CHoosing Active Role Models to INspire Girls) intervention, an intervention which aims to increase and sustain physical activity among 9–10-year-old girls. The research questions were, is it feasible and acceptable to recruit role models? and what are the perceived barriers and facilitators to the inclusion of peer role models within the intervention? Methods A mixed methods process evaluation was embedded within a larger feasibility study, involving three secondary schools and four adjoining primary schools in South Wales, United Kingdom. One-to-one interviews were conducted with teachers ( N = 10) across the seven schools and community role models ( N = 10). Focus groups were conducted with 18 peer role models (older girls from adjoining secondary schools) and 18 girls aged 9–10-years who had participated in the intervention. Primary school teachers kept observation logs of each intervention session. A researcher completed observation logs of two random sessions per school. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis with a combined deductive and inductive coding approach. Observation data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Data were triangulated and comparative analyses conducted across schools. Results Twenty-three peer role models (aged 12–16-years) and 16 community role models participated in intervention delivery. Overall, the inclusion of both types of role models was shown as acceptable and feasible within the CHARMING intervention. Observation data highlighted key areas (i.e., intervention components delivered inconsistently) for further qualitative exploration. Six themes were identified during analyses; reach and access, communication, logistics, existing systems, interpersonal relationships, and perceived impacts. Themes were intertwined across the barriers and facilitators of recruitment and implementation. Areas for future improvement were highlighted. Conclusions Findings can be used to optimise the CHARMING intervention and inform wider interventions or policies employing several role models across settings to promote physical activity among children.
Background In the UK, there is evidence that girls’ physical activity tends to decline to a greater extent than boys as they enter adolescence. ‘Role models’ could play a vital role in inspiring girls to become or remain physically active. The CHARMING Programme is a primary school-based community linked role-model programme, co-developed in 2016, with children, parents, schools and wider stakeholders. It involves different types of physical activity delivered for 1-h each week by a community provider and peer role models (e.g. older girls from secondary schools) joining in with the sessions. The programme ultimately aims to increase and sustain physical activity levels among 9–10-year-old girls. This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the CHARMING Programme and of evaluating it using a randomised trial. Methods This study is a feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial, with embedded process evaluation and health economic evaluation. Approximately 90 Year 5 (i.e. 9–10-year-old) girls will be recruited across six primary schools in Mid-South Wales. Participating schools will be allocated to the programme: control on a 2:1 basis; four intervention schools will run the CHARMING Programme and two will continue with usual practice. A survey and accelerometer will be administered at baseline and repeated at 12 months. Interviews and focus groups will be conducted post-intervention delivery. The primary aim is to assess feasibility of a future randomised trial via the recruitment of schools, participants and role models; randomisation; retention; reach; data collection completion rates; programme adherence; and programme fidelity, views on intervention acceptability and programme barriers and facilitators. Secondary aims are to evaluate established physical activity outcome measures for children plus additional health economic outcomes for inclusion in a future full-scale trial. Discussion The results of this study will inform decisions on whether and how to proceed to a full-scale evaluation of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the CHARMING Programme to improve or sustain physical activity. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ISRCTN36223327. Registered March 29, 2021
It is estimated that around 160,000 households in Britain experience homelessness each year, although no definitive statistics exist. Between March and September 2020, as part of the initial ‘Everyone In’ government response to COVID-19 in England, 10,566 people were living in emergency accommodation and nearly 18,911 people had been moved into settled accommodation. However, some forms of temporary accommodation may not be suitable as shared facilities make it impossible for people to adhere to government guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This is parallel group, pilot randomised controlled trial. The target is to recruit three local authorities, each of which will recruit 50 participants (thus a total of approximately 150 participants). Individuals are eligible if they are aged 18 and over, in a single-person homeless household, temporarily accommodated by the LA with recourse to public funds. Participants will be randomised to receive settled accommodation (intervention group) or temporary accommodation (control group). The intervention group includes settled housing such as Private Rented Sector (low and medium support), Social Housing (low and medium support), and Housing First (High support). The control group will maintain treatment as usual. The follow-up period will last 6 months. The primary outcome is to assess the feasibility of recruitment, retention, and acceptability of trial processes against progression criteria laid out in a traffic light system (green: all criteria are met, the trial should progress as designed in this pilot; amber: the majority of criteria are met and with adaptations to methods all criteria could be met; red: the minority of criteria are met and the pilot RCT should not proceed). Secondary outcomes include assessment of completeness of data collection at 3 and 6 months and percentage of participants consenting to data linkage, as well as a process evaluation and economic evaluation. This trial will address feasibility questions associated with progression to a fully powered effectiveness trial of models of housing to reduce risk of COVID-19 infection and homelessness. ISRCTN69564614 . Registered on December 16, 2020.
Breastfeeding rates in many Global North countries are low. Qualitative research highlights that breastfeeding in public is a particular challenge, despite mothers often having the legal right to do so. To identify barriers and facilitators, we systematically searched the qualitative research from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries relating to breastfeeding in public spaces from 2007 to 2021. Data were analysed using the Thematic Synthesis technique. The review was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42017081504). Database searching identified 3570 unique records. In total, 74 papers, theses, or book chapters, relating to 71 studies, were included, accounting for over 17,000 mothers. Overall, data quality was high. Our analysis identified that five core factors influenced mothers' thought processes and their breastfeeding in public behaviour: legal system; structural (in)equality; knowledge; beliefs and the social environment. Macro-level factors relating to legislation and inequality urgently require redress if breastfeeding rates are to be increased. Widespread culture change is also required to enhance knowledge, change hostile beliefs and thus the social environment in which mother/infant dyads exist. In particular, the sexualisation of breasts, disgust narratives and lack of exposure among observers to baby-led infant feeding patterns resulted in beliefs which created a stigmatising environment. In this context, many mothers felt unable to breastfeed in public; those who breastfed outside the home were usually highly self-aware, attempting to reduce their exposure to conflict. Evidence-based theoretically informed interventions to remove barriers to breastfeeding in public are urgently required.
Objective Women of reproductive age who have autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) have expressed a need to be better supported with making decisions about pregnancy. Women with ARDs want their motherhood identities and associated preferences to be taken into account in decisions about their healthcare. The aim of this study was to explore the interplay between illness and motherhood identities of women with ARDs during preconception decision making. Methods Timeline-facilitated qualitative interviews with women diagnosed with an ARD (18-49 years old). Participants were purposively sampled based on the following three criteria: thinking about getting pregnant, currently pregnant, or had young children. Interviews were thematically analysed. Results Twenty-two women were interviewed face-to-face (N=6) or over the telephone (N=16). Interview length ranged from 20 minutes to 70 minutes, with a mean length of 48 minutes. Three main themes were identified: prioritisation, discrepancy, and trade-off. Difficulties in balancing multiple identities in healthcare encounters were reported. Women used ‘self-guides’ as a reference for priority setting in a dynamic process that shifted as their level of disease activity altered and as their motherhood identity became more or less of a focus at a given point in time. Women’s illness and motherhood identities did not present in isolation but were intertwined. Conclusions Findings highlight the need for holistic person-centred care that supports women with the complex and emotive decisions relating to preconception decision-making. In practice, health professionals need to consider women’s multiple and sometimes conflicting identities, and include both their condition and family associated goals and values within healthcare communication.
This protocol describes a mixed-methods longitudinal study which aims to build a detailed understanding of how people experience and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and government policy during the first 12-months since the start of the UK outbreak. The study will comprise of three work packages: a longitudinal prospective online survey, data linkage, and qualitative interviews.
Background Invasive urodynamics is used to investigate the causes of lower urinary tract symptoms; a procedure usually conducted in secondary care by specialist practitioners. No study has yet investigated the feasibility of carrying out this procedure in a non-specialist setting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore, using qualitative methodology, the feasibility and acceptability of conducting invasive urodynamic testing in primary care. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted during the pilot phase of the PriMUS study, in which men experiencing bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms underwent invasive urodynamic testing along with a series of simple index tests in a primary care setting. Interviewees were 25 patients invited to take part in the PriMUS study and 18 healthcare professionals involved in study delivery. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a framework approach. Results Patients generally found the urodynamic procedure acceptable and valued the primary care setting due to its increased accessibility and familiarity. Despite some logistical issues, facilitating invasive urodynamic testing in primary care was also a positive experience for urodynamic nurses. Initial issues with general practitioners receiving and utilising the results of urodynamic testing may have limited the potential benefit to some patients. Effective approaches to study recruitment included emphasising the benefits of the urodynamic test and maintaining contact with potential participants by telephone. Patients’ relationship with their general practitioner was an important influence on study participation. Conclusions Conducting invasive urodynamics in primary care is feasible and acceptable and has the potential to benefit patients. Facilitating study procedures in a familiar primary care setting can impact positively on research recruitment. However, it is vital that there is a support network for urodynamic nurses and expertise available to help interpret urodynamic results.
Public perceptions of pandemic viral threats and government policies can influence adherence to containment, delay, and mitigation policies such as physical distancing, hygienic practices, use of physical barriers, uptake of testing, contact tracing, and vaccination programs. The UK COVID-19 Public Experiences (COPE) study aims to identify determinants of health behaviour using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation (COM-B) model using a longitudinal mixed-methods approach. Here, we provide a detailed description of the demographic and self-reported health characteristics of the COPE cohort at baseline assessment, an overview of data collected, and plans for follow-up of the cohort.Preprint posted 12.7.21
Public perceptions of pandemic viral threats and government policies can influence adherence to containment, delay, and mitigation policies such as physical distancing, hygienic practices, use of physical barriers, uptake of testing, contact tracing, and vaccination programs. The UK COVID-19 Public Experiences (COPE) study aims to identify determinants of health behaviour using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation (COM-B) model using a longitudinal mixed-methods approach. Here, we provide a detailed description of the demographic and self-reported health characteristics of the COPE cohort at baseline assessment, an overview of data collected, and plans for follow-up of the cohort. The COPE baseline survey was completed by 11,113 UK adult residents (18+ years of age). Baseline data collection started on the 13th of March 2020 (10-days before the introduction of the first national COVID-19 lockdown in the UK) and finished on the 13th of April 2020. Participants were recruited via the HealthWise Wales (HWW) research registry and through social media snowballing and advertising (Facebook®, Twitter®, Instagram®). Participants were predominantly female (69%), over 50 years of age (68%), identified as white (98%), and were living with their partner (68%). A large proportion (67%) had a college/university level education, and half reported a pre-existing health condition (50%). Initial follow-up plans for the cohort included in-depth surveys at 3-months and 12-months after the first UK national lockdown to assess short and medium-term effects of the pandemic on health behaviour and subjective health and well-being. Additional consent will be sought from participants at follow-up for data linkage and surveys at 18 and 24-months after the initial UK national lockdown. A large non-random sample was recruited to the COPE cohort during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, which will enable longitudinal analysis of the determinants of health behaviour and changes in subjective health and well-being over the course of the pandemic.