PE4PPI · Peer ethnography for the promotion of patient and public involvement: young people and sexual health service development.

Peer ethnography for the promotion of patient and public involvement: young people and sexual health service development.

Context and Overall Objectives of the Project The project “Peer ethnography for the promotion of patient and public involvement: young people and sexual health service development” (PE4PPI) was devised in response to the need to deliver improvements in the sexual health of young people (YP) in England. YP aged 16-24 have the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in England, and the majority of under-18 conceptions continue to be unplanned; further research into YPs’ use of services and their sexual health information needs have been recommended. Numerous complex factors are known to influence YP’s sexual initiation and behaviour, including social expectations related to gender. The use of technology and associated access to pornography and social media are also considered to be transforming attitudes, communication and behaviour, but in ways not clearly understood, while sex and relationship education in the UK is known to offer only limited guidance to YP navigating early experiences of intimacy. Barriers to service access by marginalized groups, such as YP, are often misconceived by outsiders, hence strategic research can provide new insight into (potential) users’ perspectives. The project’s strategy was to train YP themselves as researchers of young people’s “life worlds”, to enhance adult understanding and inform appropriate service provision. The project, carried out by the Beneficiary, based in the “patient and public involvement” team of the University of West of England (UWE), was explicitly associated with public involvement, an approach founded on the principle that those most affected by health and service provision research should have some say in how it is undertaken. The project aimed to pilot the research method of “peer ethnography”, to elicit knowledge unobtainable through other means. A group of “peer researchers” would conduct ethnography exploring YPs’ knowledge, expectations and behaviour surrounding intimate and sexual relationships, their perceptions of sexual health services, and priorities for support. The peer researchers would be instrumental in communicating findings with stakeholders working in service provision for YP and the wider public. Several lasting impacts of the peer-led study were envisaged: - new insight into peer ethnography as a methodology for use within public involvement; - data and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and service provision for YP in the field of sexual health and other areas; and - a group of YP equipped with research, communication and advocacy skills. A wider aim was to broaden the Beneficiary’s skills and experience in applied health research and service development, and enhance her employability within the UK academic environment.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union