Perception Research: Sexual health and HIV/AIDS

Challenge: Luton sexual health services needed to understand barriers to service uptake and attitudes toward sexual health, particularly HIV/AIDS perceptions, among young people from Central and Eastern European and diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Approach Qualitative research exploring attitudes and perceptions among Central and Eastern European young people regarding sexual health and HIV/AIDS, followed by expanded research examining service uptake and perceptions across multi-ethnic young people.

Outcomes

• 21 young people participated across Central and Eastern Europe

• Key findings: barriers to service uptake, HIV/AIDS stigma, service perception issues

• Service change and education recommendations disseminated through a peer-reviewed article and HIV/AIDs health and local groups

• Potential health outcomes: earlier diagnosis, prevention improvements, reduced stigma

• Further research has been conducted since, and a service has been established to bring together community groups and health services