The effectiveness of sexual assault referral centres with regard to mental health and substance use: a national mixed-methods study - the MiMoS Study.

Background: Sexual assault referral centres have been established to provide an integrated service that includes forensic examination, health interventions and emotional support. However, it is unclear how the mental health and substance use needs are being addressed. Aim: To identify what works for whom under what circumstances for people with mental health or substance use issues who attend sexual assault referral centres. Setting and sample: Staff and adult survivors in English sexual assault referral centres and partner agency staff. Design: A mixed-method multistage study using realist methodology comprising five work packages. This consisted of a systematic review and realist synthesis (work package 1); a national audit of sexual assault referral centres (work package 2); a cross-sectional prevalence study of mental health and drug and alcohol needs (work package 3); case studies in six sexual assault referral centre settings (work package 4), partner agencies and survivors; and secondary data analysis of outcomes of therapy for sexual assault survivors (work package 5). Findings: There is a paucity of evidence identified in the review to support specific ways of addressing mental health and substance use. There is limited mental health expertise in sexual assault referral centres and limited use of screening tools based on the audit. In the prevalence study, participants (n = 78) reported high levels of psychological distress one to six weeks after sexual assault referral centre attendance (94% of people had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder). From work package 4 qualitative analysis, survivors identified how trauma-informed care potentially reduced risk of re-traumatisation. Sexual assault referral centre staff found having someone with mental health expertise in the team helpful not only in helping plan onward referrals but also in supporting staff. Both sexual assault referral centre staff and survivors highlighted challenges in onward referral, particularly to NHS mental health care, including gaps in provision and long waiting times. Work package 5 analysis demonstrated that people with recorded sexual assault had higher levels of baseline psychological distress and received more therapy but their average change scores at end point were similar to those without sexual trauma. Limitations: The study was adversely affected by the pandemic. The data were collected during successive lockdowns when services were not operating as usual, as well as the overlay of anxiety and isolation due to the pandemic. Conclusions: People who attend sexual assault centres have significant mental health and substance use needs. However, sexual assault referral centres vary in how they address these issues. Access to follow-up support from mental health services needs to be improved (especially for those deemed to have 'complex' needs) and there is some indication that co-located psychological therapies provision improves the survivor experience. Routine data analysis demonstrated that those with sexual assault can benefit from therapy but require more intensity than those without sexual assault. Future work: Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of providing co-located psychological therapy in the sexual assault referral centres, as well as evaluating the long-term needs and outcomes of people who attend these centres. Funding: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (16/117/03) and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 11, No. 21. Trial registration: This trial is registered as PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018119706 and ISRCTN 18208347.

We undertook several studies including: Searching and examining published research (review). A survey that asked sexual assault referral centres how mental health and substance use are addressed. Questionnaires: survivors who had recently attended a sexual assault referral centre completed questionnaires on mental health, alcohol and drugs, and quality of life. Interviews with staff at sexual assault referral centres and survivors of assualts. Routine data: we analysed anonymous data from mental health services to compare how those with sexual assault benefit from psychological therapy. We combined the findings from all the aspects of the study to conclude that most people who attend sexual assault referral centres have significant mental health needs; however, the response to these needs is variable within sexual assault referral centres. Survivors report that the sexual assault referral centres offer a caring and supportive service, but many also reported difficulties in accessing the right support afterwards. Where there was co-located psychological therapy, there were benefits for both survivors and the wider team. We also showed that, despite high needs, people surviving sexual assault can benefit from therapies but may need more therapy than those who have not experienced sexual assault.

Can Weight Watchers (WW) Help Address Maternal Obesity? An Audit of Weight Change in Women of Childbearing Age and Mothers-To-Be, Referred into a Commercial Slimming Programme.

OBJECTIVES: The scale of overweight and obesity amongst women of childbearing age or mothers to be, living in Wales, places a considerable burden on the NHS and public health. High BMI (over 30) during pregnancy increases the health risks for mother and baby. Policy advice recommends weight management services are available to help women lose weight before and whilst planning pregnancy. In parts of Wales, NHS partnerships with commercial companies provide weight management services for women considering or planning pregnancy. This study evaluates whether an established referral Weight Watchers (WW) programme, known to be effective in adults in England, can help mothers-to-be living in North Wales lose weight. METHODS: Analysis used routine data from 82 referrals to WW between June 2013 and January 2015. Participants received a referral letter inviting them to attend face-to-face group workshops combined with a digital experience. The programme encompassed healthy eating, physical activity and positive mind-set. Trained WW staff measured bodyweight before, during and at 12 weeks. On entry to the course, participants had a median age of 31.4 years (interquartile range (IQR) 28-34) with a median BMI of 36.8 kg/m2 (IQR 33.3-43.7). RESULTS: Women completing the course (n = 34) had a median weight loss of 5.65 kg (IQR 0.45-10.85), equating to 5.7% (SD 3.46) of initial body weight. Intention-to-treat analysis (last observation carried forward), which included lapsed courses n = 66, showed a median weight loss of 3.6 kg (IQR - 2.53 to 9.73), equating to 3.7% (SD 3.62) of initial body weight. Overall, there was significant weight loss during the WW programme (Wilcoxon signed rank test Z = - 6.16; p < 0.001). Weight loss was significantly correlated with the number of workshops attended (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.61 p < 0.001). The proportion of all 82 participants (intention to treat, baseline observation carried forward) that achieved a weight loss of ≥ 5% initial weight was 30.5%. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Referral of obese mothers-to-be into WW can successfully achieve short-term weight loss, at or above 5%, in approximately one third of participants. The dose-response effect supports a causal inference. Successful weight loss at this critical life stage may provide women with the necessary motivation to initiate weight loss for healthy pregnancy, however further research is required.

Police custody in the north of England: Findings from a health needs assessment in Durham and Darlington.

AIMS: To report on a health needs assessment undertaken in the Durham Constabulary (England) in 2013. METHODOLOGY: The health needs assessment employed a variety of methods: analysis of arrest and healthcare data over a one year period; semi-structured interviews with the police and healthcare staff; and a survey of detainees' view of healthcare. MAIN FINDINGS: The main finding was that the healthcare provider to custody in Durham was delivering an appropriate multi-professional team of nurse, paramedics and forensic medical examiners that was responsive, trusted by the police and which gave detainee's few concerns. LIMITATIONS: The main limitations are that the health needs assessment analysed retrospective data and did not examine healthcare outcomes.

Assessment of the mental health status of a one year cohort attending a two Sexual Assault Referral Centres in England.

A one year audit was undertaken of the mental health (MH) status of adult attendees to the Thames Valley Sexual Assault Centres (SARC). There were 301 relevant referrals over the twelve month period of whom 126 (42%) either fully or partially completed the mental health assessments. 38% (n = 66) of the population did not consent to the research. Participation in the study was felt inappropriate by the case clinician in the rest of the cases. To summarise the findings: 36% were moderately or severely depressed; 30% experienced moderate to severe anxiety; 28% were drinking at hazardous/harmful levels; and 12% had a drug problem that was moderate to severe. Self harm affected 45% of the sample with the greater majority cutting themselves and self-harming before the age of 17. Admission to a psychiatric in-patient unit was not uncommon and 19% had been admitted an average of three times each. The figure of 19% admitted to a psychiatric hospital is 90 times higher than for the general female population. 42% of the total sample were being prescribed medication for their mental health problem. The paper concludes that: there should be agreement nationally on the use of a standardised set of mental health outcome measures which are used in all assessments; there should be a move towards the commissioning of expert psychological support that is offered in a SARC and the pathways for specialist mental health care out of the SARCs. Finally, forensic physicians and general practitioners needs a greater awareness of the mental health sequalae of sexual assault and they then need to make prompt referrals to the appropriate services.

Sexual violence and abuse and the care programme approach.

In 2008 it became policy that all those on the care programme approach were assessed for sexual violence/abuse. The implementation of this policy was assessed 8 years on. The findings of a survey and data request to Health and Social Care Information Centre are disappointing. We argue that this important initiative needs to be reinvigorated.

The Care Programme Approach, sexual violence and clinical practice in mental health.

INTRODUCTION: Research in Sexual Assault Referral Centres has shown that 40% of those attending are known to mental health services. The question we posed in this study was to what extent do mental health services know about this group? This was a pertinent question to ask as in 2008 the Department of Health (DH) amended the Care Programme Approach (CPA) to include a question on sexual abuse/violence as part of the overall assessment. AIMS: To assess the extent to which Mental health Trusts were implementing DH guidance on the CPA in relation to assessment of sexual violence and abuse. METHOD: 1. Freedom of Information (FOI) requests were sent to all Mental Health Trusts. 2. The Information base at the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) was interrogated as Trusts can make returns on this CPA question, however it is not mandatory. RESULTS: 1. The FOI requests revealed that: only 66% of staff were trained to 'ask the question' (range 35-100%) and only five out of 53 Trusts audited whether the question was asked. 2. The HSCIC data revealed that in 2014/15 there were 335,727 people in the CPA in England and there was a record in only 17% of cases of the question being asked. Over half (57%) of the 69 providers who did not submit any information on the indicator in 2014/15 as well as, for those 30 providers who did submit information, the data field was only 41% complete. CONCLUSIONS: The impetus for 'asking the question' first established in 2008 with the establishment of eight pilot training programmes, has been lost. It is clear that Trusts are not training adequate number of staff nor are they returning useable data to HSCIC. If 40% of people attending SARCs are known to mental health services we suspect that few staff in mental health trusts known much about such a referral. Research shows convincingly that sexual violence and abuse plays a clear role in the aetiology of mental health disorders. A history of such violence/abuse should be always established (or otherwise).

Mental health risk factors in sexual assault: What should Sexual Assault Referral Centre staff be aware of?

INTRODUCTION: In England, people who have been raped can attend a national network of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) for physical examination, the collection of evidence and sign-posting onto other appropriate services. The impact of rape on mental health is not always assessed comprehensively in SARCs despite national policy guidance. AIM: To highlight the relationship between mental health and rape; thereby increasing SARCs staff and NHS commissioners awareness of the issue and the potential for longer-term risks to mental health. METHOD: A secondary analysis was carried out using the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) 2007 in England. Sexual abuse was categorised as 'rape', 'touched in a sexual way' or 'talked to in a sexual way' versus 'none'. Bivariate analysis describes the prevalence of various mental health indicators and service use measures by different 'levels' of sexual abuse. Multiple logistic regression was applied to determine independent risk factors for sexual abuse. RESULTS: There was a consistent increase in the prevalence of mental health problems and in the use of mental health services as the severity of sexual abuse increased. For individuals who had been raped, the prevalence of need was highest in those raped both before and after the age of 16 years. Multivariate logistic regression identified that sex and age were the only demographic risk factors remaining significant. After controlling for these, individuals who had been raped were over 2.5 times more likely to have a history of a neurotic disorder than individuals experiencing no sexual abuse. In addition, rape victims were also significantly more likely to be dependent on drugs and alcohol, admitted to a mental health ward and at risk of suicide. CONCLUSION: Rape is likely to have a considerable impact on the use of mental health services, self-harm and alcohol/drug dependency. Full mental health assessments should be undertaken in SARCs and commissioners should ensure accessible pathways into mental health services where appropriate.

Eating for 1, Healthy and Active for 2; feasibility of delivering novel, compact training for midwives to build knowledge and confidence in giving nutrition, physical activity and weight management advice during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Women in Wales are more likely to be obese in pregnancy than in any other United Kingdom (UK) country. Midwives are ideally placed to explore nutrition, physical activity and weight management concerns however qualitative studies indicate they lack confidence in raising the sensitive issue of weight. Acknowledging this and the reality of finite time and resources, this study aimed to deliver compact training on nutrition, physical activity and weight management during pregnancy to increase the knowledge and confidence of midwives in this subject. METHODS: A compact training package for midwives was developed comprising of evidence based nutrition, physical activity and weight management guidance for pregnancy. Training was promoted via midwifery leads and delivered within the Health Board. Questionnaires based on statements from national public health guidance were used to assess changes in self-reported knowledge and confidence pre and post training. Descriptive statistics were applied and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: 43 midwives registered for training, 32 (74%) attended and completed the questionnaires. Although, pre training knowledge and confidence varied between participants, statistically significant improvements in self-reported knowledge and confidence were observed post training. 97% indicated knowledge of pregnancy specific food and nutrition messages as 'better' (95% CI 85 to 100), as opposed to 3% stating 'stayed the same'--60% stated 'much better'. 83% indicated confidence to explain the risks of raised BMI in pregnancy was either 'much' or 'somewhat better' (95% CI 66 to 93), as opposed to 17% stating 'stayed the same'. 89% indicated confidence to discuss eating habits and physical activity was 'much' or 'somewhat better' (95% CI 73 to 97) as opposed to 11% stating 'stayed the same'. Emergent themes highlighted that training was positively received and relevant to midwifery practice. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides early indications that a compact nutrition, physical activity and weight management training package improves midwives self-reported knowledge and confidence. Cascading training across the midwifery service in the Health Board and conducting further studies to elicit longer term impact on midwifery practice and patient outcomes are recommended.

Influence of socio-demographic factors on distances travelled to access HIV services: enhanced surveillance of HIV patients in north west England.

BACKGROUND: Patient choice and access to health care is compromised by many barriers including travel distance. Individuals with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can seek free specialist care in Britain, without a referral, providing flexible access to care services. Willingness to travel beyond local services for preferred care has funding and service implications. Data from an enhanced HIV surveillance system were used to explore geodemographic and clinical factors associated with accessing treatment services. METHODS: We extracted data on the location, type and frequency of care services utilized by HIV positive persons (n = 3983) accessing treatment in north west England between January 1st 2005 and June 30th 2006. Individuals were allocated a deprivation score and grouped by urban/rural residence, and distance to care services was calculated. Analysis identified independent predictors of distance travelled (general linear modelling) and, for those bypassing their nearest clinic, the probability of accessing a specialist service (logistic regression, SPSS ver 14). Inter-relationships between variables and distance travelled were visualised using detrended correspondence analysis (PC-ORD ver 4.1). RESULTS: HIV infected persons travelled an average of 4.8 km (95% confidence intervals (CI) 4.6-4.9) per trip and had on average 6 visits (95% CI 5.9-6.2) annually for care. Longer trips were made by males (4.8 km vs 4.5 km), white people (6.2 km), the young (>15 years, 6.8 km) and elderly (60+ years, 6.3 km), those on multiple therapy (5.3 km vs 4.0 km), and the more affluent living in rural areas (16.1 km, P < 0.05). Half the individuals bypassed their nearest clinic to visit a more distant facility, and this was associated with being aged under 20 years, multiple therapy, being a male infected by sex between men, relative wealth, and living in rural areas (P < 0.05). Of those bypassing local facilities, poorer people were more likely to access a specialist centre but did not have as far to travel to do so (3.6 km) compared to those from less deprived areas (8.6 km). CONCLUSION: Distance travelled, and type of HIV services used, were associated with socioeconomic status, even after accounting for ethnicity, route of infection and age. Thus despite offering an 'equitable' service, travel costs may advantage those with higher income.

Elvis to Eminem: quantifying the price of fame through early mortality of European and North American rock and pop stars.

BACKGROUND: Rock and pop stars are frequently characterised as indulging in high-risk behaviours, with high-profile deaths amongst such musicians creating an impression of premature mortality. However, studies to date have not quantified differences between mortality experienced by such stars and general populations. OBJECTIVE: This study measures survival rates of famous musicians (n = 1064) from their point of fame and compares them to matched general populations in North America and Europe. DESIGN: We describe and utilise a novel actuarial survival methodology which allows quantification of excess post-fame mortality in pop stars. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals from North America and Europe performing on any album in the All-Time Top 1000 albums from the music genres rock, punk, rap, R&B, electronica and new age. RESULTS: From 3 to 25 years post fame, both North American and European pop stars experience significantly higher mortality (more than 1.7 times) than demographically matched populations in the USA and UK, respectively. After 25 years of fame, relative mortality in European (but not North American) pop stars begins to return to population levels. Five-year post-fame survival rates suggest differential mortality between stars and general populations was greater in those reaching fame before 1980. CONCLUSION: Pop stars can suffer high levels of stress in environments where alcohol and drugs are widely available, leading to health-damaging risk behaviour. However, their behaviour can also influence would-be stars and devoted fans. Collaborations between health and music industries should focus on improving both pop star health and their image as role models to wider populations.

Predictors of risky alcohol consumption in schoolchildren and their implications for preventing alcohol-related harm.

BACKGROUND: While alcohol-related health and social problems amongst youths are increasing internationally, both consumption and associated harms are particularly high in British youth. Youth drinking patterns, including bingeing, frequent drinking and drinking in public spaces, are associated with increased risks of acute (e.g. violence) and long-term (e.g. alcohol-dependence) health problems. Here we examine economic, behavioural and demographic factors that predict these risky drinking behaviours among 15-16 year old schoolchildren who consume alcohol. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among schoolchildren in North West England (n = 10,271) using an anonymous questionnaire delivered in school settings. Analysis utilised logistic regression to identify independent predictors of risky drinking behaviour. RESULTS: Of all respondents, 87.9% drank alcohol. Of drinkers, 38.0% usually binged when drinking, 24.4% were frequent drinkers and 49.8% drank in public spaces. Binge, frequent and public drinking were strongly related to expendable income and to individuals buying their own alcohol. Obtaining alcohol from friends, older siblings and adults outside shops were also predictors of risky drinking amongst drinkers. However, being bought alcohol by parents was associated with both lower bingeing and drinking in public places. Membership of youth groups/teams was in general protective despite some association with bingeing. CONCLUSION: Although previous studies have examined predictors of risky drinking, our analyses of access to alcohol and youth income have highlighted eradicating underage alcohol sales and increased understanding of children's spending as key considerations in reducing risky alcohol use. Parental provision of alcohol to children in a family environment may also be important in establishing child-parent dialogues on alcohol and moderating youth consumption. However, this will require supporting parents to ensure they develop only moderate drinking behaviours in their children and only when appropriate.

The impact of partial smokefree legislation on health inequalities: evidence from a survey of 1150 pubs in North West England.

BACKGROUND: The UK government claims that between 10 and 30% of pubs and bars will be exempt from proposed legislation to achieve smokefree enclosed public places across England. This arises from the contentious inclusion that pubs and bars that do not prepare and serve food and private members clubs, will be able to allow smoking. We aimed to survey pubs and bars across the North West of England to assess smoking policies and the proportion and variations by deprivation level of venues preparing and serving food. METHODS: We carried out a telephone survey of 1150 pubs and bars in 14 local authorities across the North West of England. The main data items were current smoking policy, food preparation and serving status, and intention to change food serving and smoking status in the event of implementation of the proposed English partial smokefree legislation. RESULTS: 29 pubs and bars (2.5%) were totally smoke-free, 500 (44%) had partial smoking restrictions, and 615 (54%) allowed smoking throughout. Venues situated in the most deprived quintiles (4 and 5) of deprivation were more likely to allow unrestricted smoking (62% vs 33% for venues in quintiles 1 and 2). The proportion of pubs and bars not preparing and serving food on the premises was 44% (95% CI 42 to 46%), and ranged from 21% in pubs and bars in deprivation quintile 1 to 63% in quintile 5. CONCLUSION: The proportion of pubs and bars which do not serve food was far higher than the 10-30% suggested by the UK government. The proportion of pubs allowing unrestricted smoking and of non-food venues was higher in more disadvantaged areas, suggesting that the proposed UK government policy of exempting pubs in England which do not serve food from smokefree legislation will exacerbate inequalities in smoking and health.

Assessing and communicating the health and judicial impact of alcohol use.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption places an increasing burden on health services, criminal justice agencies and private industry throughout the UK. Despite a national strategy to tackle alcohol-related harm, there remains a lack of epidemiology on alcohol use and related harms at local levels. Utilising national data sources and existing research studies, Regional Public Health Observatories are appropriately placed to calculate such measures and examine their relationship with deprivation. METHODS: For the North West of England, borough and health locality data were extracted from national sources. Alcohol consumption utilised lifestyle survey data and estimates of related harm were calculated by applying existing alcohol attributable fractions to deaths, hospital episodes and crime data. Contribution of alcohol to reduction in life expectancy was also calculated and all measures were correlated with deprivation. RESULTS: For the North West, the annual burden of alcohol was estimated at over 3700 deaths, 56,700 hospital episodes and 71,000 crimes. Annual alcohol-related death rates for men varied from 0.43 to 1.17 per 1000 between Local Authorities and there was a six-fold variation in alcohol-related crime rate between areas. For males, alcohol reduced life expectancy by more than five months in the area worst affected. For both sexes, more deprived areas had significantly higher levels of alcohol-related hospital episodes, crime, and contribution to reduced life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol-related harm requires urgent, multi-agency attention at local levels throughout the UK. Applying appropriate research methods to national data sources provides limited but valuable local measures of alcohol use and its impact on health and crime. Regional Public Health Observatories can facilitate partnership working through such provision of national intelligence tailored to support local and regional action. Application of these techniques also helps identify additional requirements for better local intelligence on health-related behaviours and the necessity for consistency across local health and behaviour surveys.