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RESPECT - Randomised Evaluation Sexual Health Promotion Evidence for Care and Treatment: A feasibility study of an intervention to promote sexual health for people with serious mental illness

People with serious mental illness have sexual health needs but there is little evidence to inform effective interventions to address them. This exploratory study found it is acceptable and feasible to undertake a trial promoting sexual health for people with serious mental illness.

Why did we do this research?

People who live with SMI are sexually active and some engage in sexual risk behaviour, such as condom-less sex. This could be why people with serious mental illness are at increased risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy and abortion, compared to the general population. There is little evidence to inform effective interventions to address the sexual health needs of people with serious mental illness.  The aim of the study was to establish the acceptability and feasibility of a trial of a sexual health promotion intervention for people with serious mental illness in the UK.

What did we do?

The RESPECT study was a two-armed randomised controlled, open feasibility trial comparing sexual health promotion, the intervention, to treatment as usual, the control, for adults aged 18 or over, with serious mental illness. The main outcomes of interest were the percentage who consented to participate, retention and completeness of data collection. A nested qualitative study obtained the views of participants regarding the acceptability of the study.

Who was involved?

The study took place in the NHS community mental health services which provided mental health support to community dwelling people with severe mental illness in four UK cities. A total of 72 people were enrolled in the trial over 12 months.

What did we find?

This study was able to recruit a sample of people who are living with serious mental illness and retain them in both the intervention and data collection. The topic did not trigger distress or other harms. Undertaking sexual health research with people with serious mental illness is important, and this study demonstrated that it is feasible, safe and acceptable to participants.

What happened next?

NIHR HTA funding for a full randomised controlled trial, moreRESPECT was granted in July 2023: MoreRESPECT: A Randomised controlled trial of a sexual health promotion intervention for people with severe mental illness delivered in community mental health settings

York Trials Unit project page for moreRESPECT A Randomised controlled trial of a sexual health promotion intervention for people with severe mental illness delivered in community mental health settings.

Publications

Hughes, E., Mitchell, N., Gascoyne, S. et al. The RESPECT study: a feasibility randomised controlled trial of a sexual health promotion intervention for people with serious mental illness in community mental health services in the UK. BMC Public Health 20, 1736 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09661-x 

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