Non-service Users Research Articles

Differences Between Online Trial Participants Who Have Used Statutory Mental Health Services and Those Who Have Not: Analysis of Baseline Data From 2 Pragmatic Trials of a Digital Health Intervention.

Digital health interventions (DHIs) are an established element of mental health service provision internationally. Regulators have positioned the best practice standard of evidence as an interventional study with a comparator reflective of standard care, often operationalized as a pragmatic trial. DHIs can extend health provision to those not currently using mental health services. Hence, for external validity, trials might openly recruit a mixture of people who have used mental health services and people who have not. Prior research has demonstrated phenomenological differences in mental health experience between these groups. Some differences between service users and nonservice users might influence the change created by DHIs; hence, research should systematically examine these differences to inform intervention development and evaluation work. This paper analyzes baseline data collected in the NEON (Narrative Experiences Online; ie, for people with experience of psychosis) and NEON-O (NEON for other [eg, nonpsychosis] mental health problems) trials. These were pragmatic trials of a DHI that openly recruited people who had used specialist mental health services and those who had not. All participants were experiencing mental health distress. NEON Trial participants had experienced psychosis in the previous 5 years. This study aims to identify differences in baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with specialist mental health service use for NEON Trial and NEON-O Trial participants. For both trials, hypothesis testing was used to compare baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of participants in the intention-to-treat sample who had used specialist mental health services and those who had not. Bonferroni correction was applied to significance thresholds to account for multiple testing. Significant differences in characteristics were identified in both trials. Compared with nonservice users (124/739, 16.8%), NEON Trial specialist service users (609/739, 82.4%) were more likely to be female (P<.001), older (P<.001), and White British (P<.001), with lower quality of life (P<.001) and lower health status (P=.002). There were differences in geographical distribution (P<.001), employment (P<.001; more unemployment), current mental health problems (P<.001; more psychosis and personality disorders), and recovery status (P<.001; more recovered). Current service users were more likely to be experiencing psychosis than prior service users. Compared with nonservice users (399/1023, 39%), NEON-O Trial specialist service users (614/1023, 60.02%) had differences in employment (P<.001; more unemployment) and current mental health problems (P<.001; more personality disorders), with lower quality of life (P<.001), more distress (P<.001), less hope (P<.001), less empowerment (P<.001), less meaning in life (P<.001), and lower health status (P<.001). Mental health service use history was associated with numerous differences in baseline characteristics. Investigators should account for service use in work to develop and evaluate interventions for populations with mixed service use histories. RR2-10.1186/s13063-020-04428-6.

CAN THE PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE SERVICES IN JAPAN PREVENT THE DETERIORATION OF CARE LEVELS?

Abstract In Japan, the public long-term care insurance system supports a super-aged society. The long-term care service (LTCS) system is designed to prevent deterioration of care levels. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to clarify whether using LTCS prevents the deterioration of care levels. We use anonymized data of the Osaka National Health Insurance Database. We analyzed 16,469 subjects who were 65–74 years of age and certified at the mild care level from 2012 to 2015 at the time of initial certification. A baseline measurement was conducted 1 year after initial certification, and observation was continued until the subject’s care level deteriorated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. The results revealed that the period until the deterioration of care level (which occurred in 25% of subjects) was 6 months in the service use group and 22 months in the service non-use group. Although we included sex, care level, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease as variables in the statistical analysis, service users were more likely to deteriorate than non-service users (Hazard Risks: 1.89; 95% confidence interval: 1.79–2.00). It is likely that other factors, such as heart disease, may also be involved, and there may be a bias related to family caregiver factors. In conclusion, the current findings suggest that using LTCS cannot prevent the deterioration of care levels. Future studies should verify the effectiveness of LTCS by adding further variables and data regarding family caregivers and changes in outcomes.

Accessibility of substance use treatment: A qualitative study from the non-service users' perspective

IntroductionDespite having effective treatments for substance use disorders, the majority of people with a substance use disorder do not receive treatment, which leads to adverse personal, health, and social consequences. Experiences of non-service users have hardly been investigated in the literature. This study, which we conducted in the Netherlands, assessed the barriers to and facilitators of accessibility to substance use treatment for non-service users with substance use disorders. MethodsThe study team conducted a total of 10 individual, semi-structured interviews with participants recruited with the help of assertive outreach teams and public health services. A topic list guided the interviews. The interviews were transcribed, and the study team performed a thematic analysis. ResultsSix main themes related to the health care accessibility of substance use treatment emerged: treatment factors, stigmatization, personal factors, consequences of use, knowledge deficits, and social support. Personal factors, especially the non-service users' motivation, was a central determinant of whether they accessed substance use treatment. Social support and consequences of the substance use were perceived as facilitating access to treatment. Stigmatization and knowledge deficits had an important negative impact on the substance users' intrinsic motivation and thus on their ability to access health care. Specifically, stigmatization by health care professionals contributed to suboptimal treatment and recovery. ConclusionsThis study recommends interventions for health care professionals aimed at decreasing their stigma toward and knowledge deficits about substance use disorder. This study highlights the key role that primary health care providers can have in identifying substance use problems and facilitating the pathway to health care services for those with substance use disorders.

A Collaborative Indigenous-non-Indigenous Partnership Approach to Understanding Participant Experiences of a Community-Based Healthy Lifestyles Program.

We describe the approach of an Indigenous–non-Indigenous research partnership in the context of a qualitative study which aimed to understand barriers and facilitators to engagement in a community-based healthy lifestyles program in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Informed by Kaupapa Māori research principles and by “Community-Up” research values, this collaborative approach between the mixed Māori–non-Māori research team effectively engaged with Māori and non-Māori families for in-depth interviews on participant experience, including with non-service users. “Community-Up” research principles allowed for a respectful process which upheld the mana (status, dignity) of the interview participants and the research team. Challenges included maintaining flexibility in our conceptions of ethnicity to reflect the complexity of modern family life in Aotearoa/New Zealand. We were committed to ongoing communication, awareness, and attention to the relationships that formed the basis of our research partnership, which allowed effective navigation of challenges and was critical to the study’s success.

Personal Recovery Among Service Users Compared With Siblings and a Control Group: A Critical Note on Recovery Assessment.

One way to boost the implementation of a recovery-oriented practice in psychiatric care may be by including outcome measures assessing recovery. However, the five core processes of personal recovery-connectedness, hope and optimism about the future, identity, meaning in life, and empowerment (collectively known as CHIME)-are not service user-specific and can be relevant to nonservice users as well. It is unknown whether recovery processes are measurably different among users and nonusers of mental health services. This study aimed to compare scores on the 24-item Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS) among service users with psychosis (in remission and not in remission), their siblings, and a control group, after the validation of the RAS Dutch version. Psychometric evaluation and comparative analyses (analysis of variance and tests of clinical significance) were performed on data from service users (N=581), their siblings (N=632), and control group members (N=372) in the longitudinal Genetic Risk and Outcome in Psychosis study in the Netherlands. Results showed that the psychometric validity of the RAS Dutch version was adequate. A significant, moderate effect was found for the RAS total score (F=31.73, df=3 and 1,559, p<0.001; Cohen's f=0.25). However, clinical significance analysis showed that a substantial number of service users had recovered, including those in remission and those not in remission, and that substantial numbers of siblings and control group members had not recovered. The findings call into question the usefulness of the RAS in outcome assessment, given that the differences detected in recovery between service users, siblings, and control group members had limited clinical relevance.

Befriending Services for Culturally Diverse Older People

ABSTRACTBefriending services may address loneliness and social isolation amongst older people. However social diversity is rarely reported in investigations of befriending services. The views of non-users are also rarely explored. In this research, we explored older adults’ experiences of, and attitudes towards, a befriending service, among service users and non-service users, drawing on interviews and focus groups with 76 older adults, 10 volunteer visitors, and 20 service providers. Participants agreed that the befriending service helped alleviate social isolation and loneliness and that supportive services to foster connection are needed. Barriers to engagement included lack of knowledge, appropriateness of services and feeling undeserving. The befriending service was most successful when a match went beyond a transactional ‘professional-client’ relationship to resemble genuine friendship, underpinned by mutual interests and norms of reciprocity and reliability. We also identified five clear ideas about what characterizes an ideal supportive service; supported opportunities for getting out, genuine and reciprocal relationships, reliability, visitor characteristics, and connecting people to their culture. Befriending adds to social networks, and enhances connectedness to the community. Loneliness is alleviated when mutually beneficial and genuinely reciprocal relationships develop. However, group interventions or connections to community groups may be more appropriate for some.

Induced Abortion in a Population Entitled to Free-of-Charge Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.

To study the rate of induced abortion in a population in whom long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods are offered free of charge as part of primary health care services. We conducted a register-based cohort study on females aged 15-44 years in the city of Vantaa, Finland. We assessed the rate of abortion among females entitled to LARC methods free of charge by survival analysis in four cohorts: those visiting public family planning clinics and initiating free-of-charge LARC methods during 2013-2014 (LARC cohort, n=2,035); those visiting public family planning clinics not choosing LARC methods (no LARC cohort, n=7,634); and three age-matched control participants for every LARC and no LARC participant from the general population not using the services (nonservice users, n=5,981 and 22,748). The patients were followed up by means of Finnish national registers until February 28, 2016. During the 78,500 woman-years accumulated, altogether 996 patients in Vantaa underwent an abortion (12.3 abortions/1,000 woman-years, 95% CI 11.6-13.1). Of these, 16 abortions occurred in the LARC cohort (3.9/1,000, 95% CI 2.4-6.0), 243 in the no LARC cohort (15.3/1,000, 95% CI 13.5-17.2), and 737 (12.6/1,000, 95% CI 11.7-13.5) among matched nonservice users. The adjusted abortion rate in the LARC cohort was 80% lower than in the no LARC cohort (risk ratio [RR] 0.20, 95% CI 0.11-0.32) and 74% lower than among their matched control participants (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.15-0.43). In contrast, there was no difference in the abortion rate between the no LARC cohort and the control participants (adjusted RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.87-1.18). When providing a population with free-of-charge LARC methods, the abortion rate was markedly lower among patients initiating free-of-charge LARC compared with patients using the services but not initiating a LARC method. Programs of this kind could be of major importance in populations with high rates of unintended pregnancy.

Households' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward solid waste management in suburbs of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

This study developed logistic regression models to analyse the relationship between 12 observed variables on knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward solid waste management in the suburbs of Phnom Penh city. We interviewed 800 households, including 200 collection service users and 600 non-service users. The determinants of how individuals are aware of, think of, and behave were assessed in the models based on the values of estimated coefficient and probability of t-statistics. As a result, education level and knowledge of health effects have positive influences on knowledge of waste problems. Income is a decisive economic factor of knowledge and attitudes. The residents seem dissatisfied with the status of waste management and collection service if they are aware of the problems. The administration, therefore, needs improvements to satisfy the knowledgeable citizens. Service provision to the non-service users is imperative to halt the practice of illegal dumping. However, the infrequent collection still leads to the improper practice of the service users. We suggest that the service is provided widely, efficiently, and regularly.

\u201cIt was the whole picture\u201d a\xa0mixed methods study of successful components in an integrated wellness service in North East England

BackgroundA growing number of Local Authorities (LAs) have introduced integrated wellness services as part of efforts to deliver cost effective, preventive services that address the social determinants of health. This study examined which elements of an integrated wellness service in the north east of England were effective in improving health and wellbeing (HWB).MethodsThe study used a mixed-methods approach. In-depth semi-structured interviews (IVs) were conducted with integrated wellness service users (n = 25) and focus groups (FGs) with group based service users (n = 14) and non-service users (n = 23) to gather the views of stakeholders. Findings are presented here alongside analysis of routine monitoring data. The different data were compared to examine what each data source revealed about the effectiveness of the service.ResultsFindings suggest that integrated wellness services work by addressing the social determinants of health and respond to multiple complex health and social concerns rather than single issues. The paper identifies examples of ‘active ingredients’ at the heart of the programme, such as sustained relationships, peer support and confidence building, as well as the activities through which changes take place, such as sports and leisure opportunities which in turn encourage social interaction. Wider wellbeing outcomes, including reduced social isolation and increased self-efficacy are also reported.Practical and motivational support helped build community capacity by encouraging community groups to access funding, helped navigate bureaucratic systems, and promoted understanding of marginalised communities. Fully integrated wellness services could support progression opportunities through volunteering and mentoring.ConclusionsAn integrated wellness service that offers a holistic approach was valued by service users and allowed them to address complex issues simultaneously. Few of the reported health gains were captured in routine data. Quantitative and qualitative data each offered a partial view of how effectively services were working.

Multimedia cloud content distribution based on interest discovery and integrated utility of user

With the rapid development of intelligent devices and the improvement of multimedia services, intelligent devices have become the mainstream source of getting multimedia service. However, there are still some problems influencing user experience of multimedia content acquisition, like limited bandwidth, large user visits and server distribution imbalance. To address the abovementioned issues, this paper proposes a content distribution method based on interest discovery and integrated utility of user in multimedia cloud. In proposed method, we use the improved feature extraction algorithm to extract the user's interest features, calculate the similarity of users, and then the users with adjacent region and similar service interest are categorized into a group, in which the service users and non-service users are separated. Aiming at the selection problem of service users in the user group, the paper has jointly considered user physical performance, user selfish behaviors and user reputation, which all are used to constitute the integrated utility value. In order to minimize content distribution time and user cost, the improved extremum disturbed particle swarm optimization algorithm is used for determining service user number. The results show that the proposed method can significantly improve overall system performance and reduce the total cost of multimedia cloud users.

Collaborative content dissemination based on game theory in multimedia cloud

With the development of multimedia clouding applications and broadband technology, multimedia group communication applications, such as multi-point video conference, major news and events live, internet-on-demand TV, network video monitoring and so on, continue to emerge. However, limited network bandwidth, burst of incoming service requests, and imbalance of content dissemination seem to be the most important factors that affect users’ experience. To this end, this paper proposes a collaborative content dissemination method based on game theory in multimedia cloud. In order to obtain the optimal number of service user in each group, integrated utility value of each user is calculated, and the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is used. Moreover, the matching problem between service users and non-service users is formulated into game theory. In order to avoid the blindness and selfishness of non-service users to choose the service users, an evolutionary game is aimed at achieving the stability by learning the connection from the non-service users. A Stackelberg game is aimed at obtaining optimal pricing policy and bandwidth allocation of service users. The numerous experiment results show that the proposed method can effectively improve users’ experience of those who have weak system capabilities, reduce the average time of the content dissemination and decrease the total cost of the multimedia cloud user.

BrdsNBz: Sexually Experienced Teens More Likely to Use Sexual Health Text Message Service.

Text messaging services are becoming an increasingly popular way to provide sexual health information to teens, but little is known about who uses such services. This study assessed whether teens at a greater risk for negative sexual health outcomes use a sexual health text message service. A text message service that connects teens with sexual health educators was promoted in six public schools in one state in the Southeast. Students (n = 2,125) in four schools completed an online questionnaire assessing personal risk factors associated with negative sexual health outcomes and use of the text message service. Text message service users (n = 144) were more likely to have had sex, to have been in a relationship, and to come from a lower socioeconomic status background. Users also felt less connected to their schools and were slightly older than nonservice users. When all variables were entered into a logistic regression, only sexual experience was associated with service use. Sexual health text message services are designed to provide information to teens in an effort to prevent negative sexual outcomes. Such services seem to be reaching youth with increased risk of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease acquisition. This study provides evidence that teens most likely to benefit are also those most likely to use a sexual health text message service.

The role of resilience in assisting the educational connectedness of at-risk youth: A study of service users and non-users

Many at-risk youth utilize support services, including educational, health, correctional, and community/family/youth services. This study investigated young service users and non-users, resilience, and ‘educational connectedness’ (academic engagement, academic achievement, academic difficulty). Structural equation modeling with 249 young people (M=16.5 years) showed that service users were lower in educational connectedness, while resilience was positively associated with educational connectedness. There was also evidence that resilience played a moderating or buffering role for service users. Specifically, service users’ negative educational outcomes were attenuated once resilience was entered into modeling and there were significant interactions between service use and resilience such that resilience explained more variance in the educational connectedness of service users than non-service users.

The Isle of Wight Suicide Study: a case study of suicide in a limited geographic area

Suicide is a major public health problem, with mental disorders being one of its major risk factors. The high incidence of suicide on the Isle of Wight has motivated this study, the first of its kind on suicide in this small geographic area. Aim The aim of the study was to identify socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for suicide in the population of service users and non-service users, and gender-related characteristics of suicidal behaviour in a limited geographic region. Data were collected on 68 cases of suicide (ICD-10×60-X84) from residents of the Isle of Wight District between January 2006 and December 2009. All data were statistically analysed using Pearson's χ 2 test and Yates' correction for continuity. The mean annual suicide rates over the period were 5.65 per 100 000 for women and 19.28 for men. Significantly (p=0.0006), more men than women (male/female ratio 3:1) died as a result of suicide. Relatively (p=0.07) more women (56.2%) than men (32.7%), and significantly more (p=0.05) service users (45.3%) than non-service users (13.3%) were unemployed. Significantly, more (p=0.0006) service users (64%) than non-service users (20%) had a history of suicide attempts and relatively (p=0.06) more (50.9%) service users than non-service users (20%) had attended the accident and emergency department before their death; 69% had an adverse life event within a year before their suicide. Depression as the most common Axis-I illness was diagnosed in 36% of all; but significantly (p=0.008) more in women (66.6%) than men (17.3%). Relatively (p=0.07) more women (56.2%) than men (32.7%) have contacted services before their death. Suicide by hanging was the most common cause, accounting for the death of 71% of men and 50% of women. The study found that 80% of all suicides occurred in people suffering from mental disorder. Men are at a significant risk of suicide. Depressive disorders in women and stress-related disorders in men were the most common mental disorders. Treating mental disorders and co-morbid conditions seems to be one of the key elements in suicide prevention strategies.

The isle of wight suicide study: a case study of 68 suicides in one health district.

Aim The aim of the study was to identify sociodemographic, and clinical risk factors for suicide in the population of service-users (SUs) and nonservice users (NSUs) and gender-related characteristics of suicidal behaviour in a limited geographic region. Method Data of 68 suicide cases (ICD-10 X60-X84) collected for residents on the Isle of Wight District between January 2006 and December 2009. All data were statistically analysed by using Pearson's chi-squared test and Yates’ correction for continuity. Results The mean annual suicide rates were 5.65 per 100.000 for women and 19.28 for men. Significantly (p=0.0006) more men than women (male/female ratio 3:1) died as a result of suicide. Relatively (p=0.07) more women (56.2%) than men (32.7%), and significantly more (p=0.05) SUs (45.3%) than NSUs (13.3%) were unemployed. Significantly more (p=0.0006) SUs (64%) than NSUs (20%) had a history of suicide and relatively (p=0.06) more (50.9%) SUs than NSUs (20%) had attended the A & E. Depression as the most common Axis-I illness was diagnosed in 36% of all; but significantly (p=0.008) more in women (66.6%) than men (17.3%). Relatively (p=0.07) more women (56.2%) than men (32.7%) have contactacted serivces before their death. Suicide by hanging was the most common cause acounting for death of 71% of men and 50% of women. Conclusions 80% of all suicides were conducted by people suffering from mental disorders. Depressive disorders in women and stressrelated disorders in men were the most common mental disorders. Treating mental disorders seem to be one of the key elements in suicide prevention.

Need, demand and missed opportunities for integrated reproductive health–HIV care in Kenya and Swaziland

Little is known about the need and demand for integrated reproductive health and HIV services at the population level. Descriptive data analysis of household surveys collected by the Integra Initiative. Household surveys were conducted among 18-49-year-olds in Kenya (N = 1752) and Swaziland (N = 779) in 2009. Data on fertility intentions, contraceptive use, sexual behaviours and HIV testing were used to determine unmet needs. Demand for integrated services was defined as wanting reproductive health services with HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) services within one visit. At the population level, family planning needs (90%) were higher than HIV/STI prevention needs: 53% (women) and 75% (men). Fewer had unmet family planning needs through non-use of contraceptives: 17% (women) and 27% (men); versus unmet HIV/STI prevention needs through inconsistent condom use: 48 and 26% of women; 51 and 32% of men in Kenya and Swaziland, respectively. Dual need was higher for men: 64% (Kenya) and 73% (Swaziland) versus women (48%) with more unmet in Kenya (43%) compared to Swaziland (25%). Missed opportunities for integrated service provision were high among women: 49 and 57% with unmet family planning needs; and 55 and 32% with unmet HIV/STI prevention needs in Kenya and Swaziland, respectively, used services, but did not receive the needed service. Most men with unmet needs were non-service users. Approximately a quarter of women wanted and received integrated reproductive health-HIV/STI services in both countries. Demand creation at the community level and provider-initiated integrated service provision are needed, using different strategies for men and women, to address substantial family planning and HIV/STI prevention needs.

Working together: Service Users and researchers in Psychosis research

This paper describes how Service Users and researchers worked together to develop a measure of recovery from psychosis “the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery from psychosis” (QPR, Neil et al., 2009), and illustrates this experience from both perspectives. The obstacles faced and how these were overcome are described. It was found that it was possible for Service Users and non-Service Users to work collaboratively, that there were unique contributions from each and a sharing of areas of expertise, for example, research knowledge and expertise by experience. This paper highlights advantages of working collaboratively. It is hoped that sharing these experiences will encourage other researchers and Service Users to embrace this way of working.

1025 – The isle of wight suicide study: a case study of 68 suicides between 2006 and 2009

Background The aim of the study was to identify sociodemographic, clinical and service delivery risk factors for suicide in the population of service-users (SUs) and non-service users (NSUs) plus gender-related characteristics of suicidal behaviour; in a limited geographic region. Method Data were collected on 68 cases of suicide (ICD-10 X60-X84) for residents on the Isle of Wight between January 2006 and December 2009. Results Significantly (p=0.0006) more men than women (male/female ratio 3:1) died by suicide. Relatively (p=0.07) more women (56.2%) than men (32.7%), and significantly more (p=0.05) SUs (45.3%) than NSUs (13.3%) were unemployed. Significantly more (p=0.0006) SUs (64%) than NSUs (20%) had a history of suicide and relatively (p=0.06) more (50.9%) SUs than NSUs (20%) had attended the A & E prior to their death. 69% had an adverse life event within a year prior to their suicide. Depression was significantly (p=0.008) more frequent in women (66.6%) than men (23.7%). Suicide by hanging was the commonest cause acounting for death of 71% of men and 50% of women. 57.3% of deaths occurred at their place of residence and 75% of on weekdays. 50% of women died in autumn, compared to 28.8% of men. There were three inpatient deaths (4.4%). Relatively (p=0.08) more women (56.2%) than men (32.7%) have contactacted serivces before their death. Conclusions 80% suicides were conducted by people suffering from a mental disorder. Men are at a significant risk of suicide. Anxiety disorders in men and depression in women are the most common mental disorders.

A community pharmacy-based cardiovascular screening service: views of service users and the public

To determine whether pharmacy-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening reached the desired population, the local population's awareness of pharmacy screening and the views of service users and the general public about CVD screening. Pharmacy staff, located in one English Primary Care Trust providing a CVD screening service, issued questionnaires to service users who had undergone screening. Face-to-face street surveys were conducted with members of the general public within the vicinity of each participating pharmacy. A total of 259 people were screened within the first 6 months of service provision, 97 of whom (37.4%) completed the evaluation questionnaire. In addition, 261 non-service users participated in street surveys. Most respondents among both service users and non-users had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including smoking and lack of exercise. Responses to statements regarding CVD screening showed a high level of agreement with the need for screening in both groups. However, significantly more service users (90.7%) agreed that a pharmacy was a good place for screening compared to the non-users (77.4%; P < 0.005). Likewise significantly fewer service users agreed that screening should be only carried out by doctors (10.3 compared to 25.3% of non-users; P < 0.005). The overall majority of service users 96 (99.7%) had a positive experience of the screening service, agreeing that they were given enough time and pharmacists made them feel at ease. Only 9% of non-users were aware of the pharmacy service and, although the majority (78.4%) were willing to be screened at a pharmacy, this was significantly lower among males than females (69.9 compared to 82.7%; P < 0.005). Perceived concerns about confidentiality and lack of privacy were among barriers identified to taking up screening. Pharmacy-based CVD screening is acceptable to the public. Its uptake could be improved through increased awareness of the service and by addressing concerns about privacy and confidentiality in promotional activities.

FC20-04 -’Who is on my side?’ - qualitative analysis of ethnic minorities experiences of mental health related stigma and discrimination

IntroductionThe Time to Change (TTC) anti-stigma campaign, launched in January 2009 in England, intends to make fundamental improvements across England in: public knowledge, attitudes and discriminatory behaviour in relation to people with mental illness. To be effective and valid the campaign must reach a wide range of diverse audiences. This study explores attitudes of people from ethnic minority communities in relation to mental health.ObjectivesThe study investigates:1)General attitudes and perceptions about mental illness in ethnic minority communities2)How we might increase awareness about mental wellbeing and decrease stigma in ethnic minority communities.MethodsTen focus groups with members of ethnic minority groups were conducted. Five groups consisted of service users and five were composed of non-service users. Two groups comprised participants from an Indian origin, two Somali origin, two Afro-Caribbean origin and the other groups were mixed.ResultsWe will present findings regarding the ways in which traditional perceptions of mental health and personal experiences of ethnic minority service users affect their perceptions of sources of support such as family, friends, medical staff and religion and how this feedback could inform ant-stigma interventions.ConclusionThe study suggests that in order to maximise the impact of anti-stigma campaigns, attention should be given to sources of discrimination and traditional perceptions of mental illness which are emphasised by ethnic minority groups. When planning anti-stigma campaigns it is important to incorporate experiences and perceptions from a wide range of audiences.