MenSH-IBD

Project Title: Developing an intervention to help nurses improve the assessment and care of the sexual health needs of men with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a mixed methods study using co-production

Acronym: MenSH-IBD

Collaborators: York St John University, University of York

Funder: National Institute for Health Research under the Patient for Patient Benefit Underrepresented Disciplines & Professions highlight notice: Nurses & Midwives

Research Aims: To develop an intervention to help nurses improve the assessment and care of the sexual health needs of men with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Research Objectives:

1. Identify how the sexual health of men with Inflammatory Bowel Disease is currently assessed and cared for by nurses in the NHS.
2. Gather ideas on appropriate ways in which men’s sexual health care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease could be improved.
3. Work with patients and professionals to co-produce an intervention to improve the assessment and care of the sexual health needs of men with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a long-term digestive condition that is often diagnosed between the ages of 15-30 years. Patients often have bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, incontinence, and fatigue. When severe, the disease can lead to hospital admission and surgery. There is growing recognition that IBD can negatively affect sexual health and impact on patients' relationships and quality of life, but men’s needs have been neglected in research. Men report that their sexual health is rarely discussed at NHS IBD clinic appointments, and specialist information and support are lacking. In this study we will work with patients, their partners, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to develop a nursing intervention that addresses this unmet need through information, assessment, and support.

Design and methods: The study has three main parts, linked to the research objectives.

• For objective 1, we will conduct three large scale surveys including NHS Trusts, nurses, and patients, to describe the sexual health assessment and care currently being provided by NHS IBD services.
• For objective 2, we will conduct interviews with men with IBD and their partners, and focus groups with healthcare professionals, to hear their ideas for an intervention to improve nurses’ assessment and care of men’s sexual health.
• For objective 3, we will hold a series of group discussions with patients and healthcare professionals to develop the intervention and consider how and why it could help patients.

Patient and public involvement: The study design and project plan have been developed with a patient advisory group and input from an IBD health professionals.