World antimicrobial resistance (AMR) awareness week research conversation special
On 19 November People in Health West of England held a research conversation with researchers from the Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol researchers. Dr Christie Cabral, Dr Tingting Zhang and Ms Emma Bridgeman from the Bristol Trials Centre talked about their work on AMR and antibiotic overuse.
Community pharmacies could expand PrEP access to help prevent HIV
A new study has found that community pharmacies could play a significant role in expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective pill for preventing HIV infection. The researchers found that pharmacies could provide a more convenient and discreet option for those who are underserved by the current model of PrEP delivery through sexual health clinics in England.
Bristol receives share of £80M funding for research to protect health of the nation
A £5.5 million award for research that will help protect the public from health threats has been secured by the University of Bristol’s Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation and Behavioural Science (HPRU-EBS).
Addiction treatment decreases suicide risk among people with opioid dependence
Treating opioid use disorder significantly lowers the very high rate (8 times the general population) of suicide among people with opioid dependence.
Untargeted screening of the population for hepatitis C is unlikely to be cost-effective
Birth cohort screening for undiagnosed hepatitis C identified only a small number of positive cases and was highly unlikely to be as cost-effective as other screening approaches. A study published in the British Journal of General Practice demonstrated that wide-scale screening could be delivered and identify people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, it also confirmed that most of these people could have been found through lower-cost, targeted screening.
Community-led HIV programme Common Ambition Bristol wins national award
Pioneering local HIV programme Common Ambition Bristol has won the Commissioning for Patient Experience award at the 2024 Patient Experience Network National Awards.
Reducing Hepatitis C reinfection among people who inject drugs
A new project aimed at improving surveillance, diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C reinfection for people who inject drugs is being led by researchers from the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation (HPRU BSE) at the University of Bristol, NIHR ARC West and Glasgow Caledonian University.
New leadership team to advance region’s immunisation research and outreach
Bristol Health Partners’ longest-standing Health Integration Teams – Bristol Immunisation Group (BIG HIT) – has recruited three new co-directors to its leadership team including Dr Sarah Denford, Research Fellow here at the HPRU BSE.
Increasing HIV Testing in Primary Care
HIV can affect anyone. People with undiagnosed HIV may not realise that they have it until they become very ill. To reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV, researchers at the University of Bristol are developing an intervention to help more people get tested.
Community-based early HIV testing and treatment could successfully manage and prevent emerging HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs, study suggests
Community-based testing and treatment response to Glasgow’s HIV outbreak among people who inject drugs (PWID) successfully brought the 2015 outbreak under control, modelling led by academics at the University of Bristol suggests. The study’s findings, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases (JID), indicate that approximately three times as many people would have been infected by 2020 if these interventions had not been implemented.
People with PCOS experience key challenges when interacting with healthcare professionals.
Interactions with healthcare professionals are often difficult for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) because of medical information not being shared in the best way. A systematic review published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online found that insufficient information about the condition, a lack of support for patient self-management and systemic challenges are also responsible for making interactions difficult.
Public finds vending machines dispensing HIV and STI self-test kits acceptable
Vending machines dispensing test kits for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acceptable to the public and staff at venues where they are located, suggests study published in BMJ Open.
A scoping review of behavioural science approaches and frameworks for health protection and emergency response
A new review has identified a lack of approaches to support the use and evaluation of behavioural science in intervention and guidance development during emergency responses. The review, by Zelenka Martin et al. and co-led by academics from the HPRU in Behavioural Science and Evaluation (HPRU BSE) and NIHR ARC West, has been published in Perspectives in Public Health.
Over-the-counter nasal sprays could keep coughs, colds and flu at bay and reduce antibiotic use, large-scale trial finds
Widely available over-the counter nasal sprays could keep upper respiratory tract infections – like colds, chest infections, flu, sore throat, and sinus infections – at bay, and prevent full-blown symptoms from developing, one of the largest trials to date to test their effectiveness finds. The research, which analysed data from nearly 14,000 adults, found overall they reduced the days of illness by around 20 per cent, and also reduced the number of days with severe symptoms, time off work or normal activities, and antibiotic use.
Opioid dependence remains high but stable in Scotland, new surveillance report finds
18 April 2024: Opioid dependence in Scotland remains high but largely stable, according to a new University of Bristol-led analysis published in Addiction and by Public Health Scotland. The study is the first to estimate the number of people dependent on opioid drugs (such as heroin), and who are in or could benefit from drug treatment, among Scotland’s population since 2015/2016 estimates were published.
Young men could benefit from being educated about fertility risk factors
18 March 2024: Younger, less educated men may benefit from interventions aimed at increasing what they know about their own fertility. A systematic review published in Human Fertility found that counselling, education and mobile apps can all have a positive effect on male fertility knowledge.
Community pharmacies could dispense pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV
18 March 2024: Community pharmacies could become crucial providers of PrEP, a medication that HIV-negative people can take before and after sex to reduce their risk of getting HIV. The benefits of using pharmacies to dispense PrEP include taking advantage of pre-existing pathways or services, as well as accessibility of locations and opening hours. However, barriers such as a lack of staff capacity and training, as well as a lack of privacy within pharmacies would have to be addressed first.
Droughts may trigger HIV transmission increase among women in rural sub-Saharan Africa, study finds
20 February 2024: Droughts have the potential to increase the spread of HIV for women living in rural parts of Africa, researchers at the University of Bristol have found. In the study, published today in AIDS and Behavior, findings imply that drought triggers behavioural changes as people struggle to battle poverty and food insecurity through activities such as transactional sex.
Vending machines could improve access to sexual health testing
5 February 2024: Vending machines dispensing test kits for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could be useful for improving access to sexual health testing for people who have never tested or don’t test often, according to a paper published in BMJ Sexually Transmitted Infections. Users valued machines for their convenience, ease of use and instant access, although return rates were lower compared to postal kits.
How an RCT rolled out interventions rapidly during the pandemic
12 December 2023: A newly published randomised controlled trial (RCT) used an innovative trial design to rapidly roll out a behavioural intervention aimed at reducing infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the trial’s results, published in Implementation Science, found the Germ Defence website did not appear to reduce infections during the pandemic, they do show how trusted research environments (TREs) can be used to evaluate new treatments safely and quickly.
Emergency Department Opt-Out Testing: Thousands tested and diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
8 November 2023: A new report published today by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the University of Bristol has found that the NHSE Emergency Opt-Out testing Programme for bloodborne viruses has helped to diagnose thousands of people with serious infections.
Prevention and control of infectious diseases among people who inject drugs — 2023 update
7 November 2023: This joint guidance report explores good public health practices that can support effective policies to reduce infections. Common blood-borne viruses in this group include HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. These are mainly spread through the sharing of needles, syringes and drug preparation equipment or unprotected sexual contacts.
Reductions in sexual mixing ended mpox outbreak in England, while vaccination has prevented resurgences in 2023
12 September 2023: The rapid outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in 2022 likely resulted from high levels of sexual mixing among some gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), with the initial downturn in cases probably due to a reduction in sexual contacts among these men, according to new research.
Global research on HIV prevention to be transformed thanks to £5 million award
5 September 2023: Researchers from seven international institutions hope to transform traditional strategies used to tackle global HIV prevention for key populations particularly affected by the virus, thanks to a new £5 million Wellcome Discovery award to Professor Peter Vickerman at the University of Bristol.
First-of-its-kind ‘Carry Naloxone’ app launches to help save lives
31 August 2023: A new app to access naloxone, the life-saving medicine to prevent an opioid overdose, is launched in Somerset today on International Overdose Awareness Day [31 August]. The app, which is supported by University of Bristol research, is the first-of-its kind in England.
Helping people who inject drugs care for their veins and avoid bacterial infection – the REACT toolkit
23 August 2023: The development and testing of the REACT (Reducing bacterial infections) toolkit has been outlined in a new paper in the Harm Reduction Journal. The toolkit aims to help support people who inject drugs care for their veins and make changes to their injecting practices to prevent bacterial infections. A small pilot study in four settings within Bristol suggests the toolkit was viewed as acceptable to people who inject drugs and a range of service providers.
Health Research Ambassador initiative wins HSR UK award for Innovation in Inclusion
6 July 2023: A pilot initiative aiming to build shared, sustainable relationships between researchers and communities in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire that are often under-represented in health research, won a Health Services Research (HSR UK) Innovation in Inclusion Award on 5 July 2023.
Alcohol dependency in adolescence, but not consumption, linked with later depression risk
1 June 2023: Adolescents who show signs of alcohol dependence are more likely to develop depression by their mid-20s, according to a new study led by University of Bristol and UCL researchers.
Engaging the public with biomechanical engineering – researcher coffee morning series
13 April 2023: A postgraduate researcher from the University of Southampton’s School of Engineering is researching how patients and public contributors could work with biomechanical engineers to design tools that might improve quality of life for people affected by osteoarthritis of the hand.
Global reviews of injecting drug use highlight inadequate coverage of interventions for people who use drugs
28 March 2023: Evidence of an increase in injecting drug use (IDU) at a global level highlights the need for improved coverage of interventions to prevent and manage drug-related harms among people who inject drugs (PWID), according to two new reviews led by researchers at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) and the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney.
HIV and hepatitis C virus monitoring needs to increase to achieve global elimination goals
28 March 2023: Countries must intensify efforts to track HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence among people who inject drugs, and to prioritise this group in prevention and elimination work, according to new University of Bristol-led research, published online in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
Toolkit to help people who inject drugs look after their veins, minimise pain and prevent infections
7 March 2023: A new toolkit to support people who inject drugs to care for their veins and make changes to prevent bacterial infections and related health problems is available for free on the University of Bristol’s express licensing portal. At least half of people who inject drugs have developed a bacterial skin infection in the last year and many do not seek any medical treatment. The most common bacterial infections include ulcers, abscesses and cellulitis. These infections can lead to complications such as gangrene, amputation, and endocarditis (infection of the heart).
Capturing the impact of public involvement – the PPI impact log
3 February 2023: A new log from People in Health West of England aims to capture the impacts of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). PPI is a vital part of all kinds of health research, but often it is difficult to quantify and capture its impact. The team of researchers and public contributors developed the log to improve PPI practices through regular reflection, learning and feedback. The log is a set of questions for researchers and public contributors about the PPI activities that took place. This gives them an opportunity to reflect and report on the learnings and outcomes from these activities.
Lesson for young people about the HPV vaccine in schools awarded quality mark
2 February 2023: A lesson to help teenagers find out about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in schools has been awarded the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education Association quality mark. HPV is a common infection that is spread by skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact. Since the pandemic there has been a decline in the uptake of the HPV vaccine – down nationally from 86% to 69%.
Exploring stigma in opioid agonist treatment journeys
30 January 2023: Should I stay or should I go?, a new paper exploring stigma and other factors influencing opioid agonist treatment journeys, has been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) includes taking methadone or similar medication, along with additional support such as motivational interviewing.
Infectious disease modellers recognised for pandemic modelling work
10 November 2022: University of Bristol academics, Drs Ellen Brooks Pollock OBE, Leon Danon, Robert Challen, Amy Thomas and Emily Nixon have been recognised for their epidemiological modelling work supporting the UK government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sexual health test vending machines launch in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
19 October 2022: New vending machines offering free sexual health testing kits have been launched in four venues across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire by Unity Sexual Health, the sexual health service led by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
Understanding benzodiazepine and opioid interactions
October 2022: The number of people dying because of drugs has been rising since 2013 in England and Scotland. Many of these deaths involve a combination of opioids (such as heroin) and benzodiazepines (sedatives often used to treat anxiety and insomnia), which are either prescribed or obtained illegally.
People who use heroin share their experiences of developing tolerance to the drug
24 June 2022: People who inject heroin develop tolerance to the effects of the drug with repeated use over time. This means that they need larger amounts of the drug to feel the same effect. Researchers from the University of Bristol, in collaboration with Bristol Drugs Project and the UK Health Security Agency, asked people who use heroin about their experiences to gain a better understanding of how, when and why tolerance develops, what it means to them, and the implications for future research and harm reduction services.
Building community leadership in health research with under-served communities
21 June 2022: A new project to build community leadership among communities that are often under-represented in health research has been given a £10k boost. The community Health Ambassador programme is led by public involvement network People in the Health West of England Network (PHWE).
Launching Common Ambition Bristol – working with African and Caribbean heritage communities to reduce HIV stigma and infections
8 June 2022: A major community-powered project in Bristol is set to launch an outreach programme to address HIV stigma and increase testing among people of African and Caribbean heritage.
Researchers receive funding to evaluate a lesson for young people about the HPV vaccine in schools
7 June 2022: Researchers from the University of Bristol have received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council to test the implementation of EDUCATE – a lesson to help young people find out about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in schools.
People were hesitant rather than opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine, study finds
10 May 2022: A study that explored the attitudes of vaccine hesitant adults in the UK towards uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine found that participants were hesitant rather than opposed to the vaccine. They had questions about their need for, and the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Concerns were exacerbated by a lack of trust in government and misunderstanding of science, the University of Bristol-led study found.
How will countries know if they have eliminated hepatitis C?
12 April 2022: The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target of eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) globally by 2030. Researchers from the University of Bristol have questioned how countries will know whether the target has been met and devised different ways of measuring elimination taking into account different country contexts.
Researcher awarded ‘Unsung COVID Heroes’ award for outbreak control work across schools
28 February 2022: Dr Amy Thomas, a Research Associate at Bristol Medical School and the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol, has been awarded an ‘Unsung COVID Heroes’ award from WISE, an organisation that promotes women in science, maths and engineering (STEM), for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Treatment for opioid dependence has an important role in suicide prevention
16 December 2021: Opioid agonist treatment, commonly methadone or buprenorphine, for people dependent on heroin or other opioid drugs has an important role to play in suicide prevention, according to University of Bristol-led research published in The Lancet Psychiatry.
New study suggests asymptomatic testing and vaccination are critical for controlling COVID-19 at universities
25 November 2021: Reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in universities is heavily dependent on vaccination and asymptomatic testing uptake, new research by academics at the University of Bristol has found.
Parent-collected nose swabs are as good as nurse-collected nose swabs at detecting respiratory infections in children
10 November 2021: Nose swab samples collected by parents are as good as those collected by nurses at detecting respiratory infections in children, according to a study by researchers at the University of Bristol published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum today [10 November].
COVID-19 pandemic associated with significant changes in the use of healthcare services
9 November 2021: Researchers from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) (formerly Public Health England) and the University of Bristol used syndromic surveillance data to describe significant changes in the use of healthcare services for non-COVID-19 conditions during the early…
Low uptake of COVID-19 lateral flow testing among university students
2 November 2021: A study by researchers at the University of Bristol found low uptake of COVID-19 lateral flow testing among university students, particularly among ethnic minority groups. Barriers to engagement with testing included a lack of awareness, problems accessing the…
Rapid sexual health testing, diagnosis and treatment service welcomed by staff and patients
26 October 2021: A rapid sexual health service designed to improve access and delivery of care is welcomed by staff and patients, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded researchers at the University of Bristol have found.
Eliminating hepatitis C in Pakistan could yield a return-on-investment of US$9.10 billion
22 October 2021: A new modelling study led by the University of Bristol, UK, suggests that achieving the World Health Organization goal of eliminating HCV as a public health problem by 2030 in Pakistan is likely to be highly cost-effective by 2030, cost-saving by 2031, and could…
New fully funded PhD studentship opportunity
19 October 2021: We are looking for a talented graduate in a relevant discipline for an infectious disease epidemiology & modelling PhD Studentship. Available to UK, EU and international applicants. Closes: 5pm, 26 Nov 2021
New approach to delivering health care to people who inject drugs
30 September 2021: Researchers at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol and University College London Centre for Behaviour Change, in collaboration with Bristol Drugs Project (BDP), have successfully piloted a…
Bristol study reveals changing sexual behaviours and increase in clinic attendance and sexually transmitted infections
7 September 2021: A study looking at the impact of PrEP among men who have sex with men and transgender people who have sex with men, has found sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses have increased along with likelihood of having condomless anal intercourse.
New hypothesis proposed for how chlamydia might increase cancer and ectopic pregnancy risk
16 August 2021: A review of evidence by researchers at the University of Bristol and University of Edinburgh has suggested a possible new means by which chlamydia could lead to an increased risk of cancer and ectopic pregnancy. The hypothesis also provides a possible explanation…
Scientists reveal new method of getting hepatitis C treatment to people who inject drugs
11 August 2021: Scientists have revealed a new method of delivering hepatitis C testing and treatment to people who inject drugs which will help bring the world a step closer to eliminating the virus.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect people who inject drugs?
28 July 2021: People who inject drugs appreciated the efforts made by drug services to continue to provide support during the pandemic, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded LUCID-B study published in pre-print by the International Journal of Drug Policy has…
Daily testing for students exposed to COVID-19 equally as effective as isolation of contacts for controlling school transmission
23 July 2021: A study led by the University of Oxford with support behavioural input from researchers at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol has found that daily testing of secondary school students who were in…
Funded PhD opportunity to investigate co-producing sexual health services with African and Caribbean heritage community
20 July 2021: The University of Bristol is offering a 3-year funded PhD studentship for an individual with strong social science/qualitative/mixed methods skills and an interest in co-production, sexual health and addressing HIV health inequalities experienced by people of…
Applications open for three funded PhD opportunities (deadline: 16 August 2021)
20 July 2021: Applications are now open for three exciting three-year funded PhD opportunities at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol. The deadline is Monday 16 August 2021. Summary details about each of the…
Funding for new Community Involvement Projects announced
6 July 2021: We are delighted to announce funding for four Community Involvement Projects led by researchers from the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation (HPRU in BSE) at University of Bristol.
Bristol study shows high PrEP awareness and use among communities more exposed to HIV
29 June 2021: A study of cisgender men and trans people who have sex with men has found that many of them know about PrEP, and commonly use it alongside other precautions to reduce the risk of getting HIV. The study participants had attended the Unity Sexual Health clinic in…
Dr Ellen Brooks Pollock receives award in Queen’s Birthday Honours
11 June 2021: Dr Elllen Brooks Pollock is one of four University of Bristol academics to receive an award in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list, which recognises the achievements and service of people across the UK.
Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) associated with lower risk of multiple causes of death for people with opioid dependence
2 June 2021: A new global review has found that receiving Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) is associated with lower risk of multiple causes of death among people with opioid dependence.
Homelessness and unstable housing are associated with increased HIV and HCV risk among people who inject drugs
26 March 2021: Homelessness and unstable housing are associated with a substantial increase in HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquisition risk among people who inject drugs, according to research led by the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and…
Germ Defence rolled out across England via GP practices to help reduce household COVID-19 infections
16 March 2021: Even though COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out, it is still important to try to reduce the spread of infection in the home. During restrictions, infections are now most likely to be transmitted in households. Research has shown people who follow the advice…
Study finds families and staff support school COVID-19 measures and testing, but action is needed to avoid widening inequalities
16 March 2021: Families and staff support school COVID-19 infection control measures and welcome the roll-out of testing in schools, a Bristol study has found. National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded researchers from the University of Bristol interviewed teachers,…
Launch of our new Public Advisory Group
9 March 2021: We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Public Advisory Group (PAG). Members of the group were recruited at the end of 2020, initially to work with us on the development of our new Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Strategy.
New funding for national consortium to model COVID-19 pandemic predictions
2 March 2021: A national consortium bringing together modellers to produce rigorous predictions for the COVID-19 pandemic and advise UK government bodies will receive £3 million funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Embed Germ Defence behaviours at home to reduce virus spread now and in the future
2 March 2021: As COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out, and a roadmap for unlocking Britain is announced, new research which looked at data from over 28,000 users of the website ‘Germ Defence’ since May 2020 highlights the continued, critical importance of breaking chains of virus…
Opioid agonist treatment could substantially reduce drug related deaths if used more widely
26 February 2021: New evidence that opioid agonists such as methadone and buprenorphine could substantially reduce drug related deaths if more widely used in the community and prison, and for longer, has been published in Lancet Psychiatry.
The IRIS ADViSE programme launch: Assessing for domestic violence and abuse in sexual health services
16 February 2021: The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evalutation at University of Bristol with NIHR ARC West and IRISi are launching the IRIS ADViSE programme and commissioning prospectus (PDF) on 24 March 2021 at a webinar at 10-11am. IRIS…
Contact patterns changed in response to national COVID-19 guidance
9 February 2021: The number of daily contacts changed over the course of 2020, following the first lockdown, corresponding to alterations in the COVID-19 guidance, suggests a study among staff and students at the University of Bristol. The research led by scientists at the…
Clients of female sex workers should be targeted for HIV prevention and treatment in South Africa
5 February 2021: The unmet HIV prevention and treatment needs of female sex workers and especially their male clients could contribute substantially to ongoing HIV transmission in South Africa, according to a new study led by University of Bristol researchers.
DUSSK study reveals the challenges of designing a tailored drug treatment service for street sex workers
12 January 2021: Street sex workers may require trauma treatment in combination with specialised drug treatment groups, a Bristol study has suggested. Trauma treatment is not usually readily available to sex workers, but the feasibility of offering this as part of a drug…
Major project to reduce HIV infections and stigma in the African and Caribbean communities of Bristol officially launches
12 January 2021: A major new project is inviting people to its virtual launch event, to find out more about how it will be working with people of African and Caribbean heritage to tackle HIV infections and stigma in these communities in Bristol and the surrounding area.
Nurse-led telephone management could help support patients with chlamydia and gonorrhoea diagnosed in primary care
16 December 2020: Nurse-led telephone management of patients with chlamydia and gonorrhoea could provide a better service for patients and reduce GP workloads, according to a study by researchers at the University of Bristol and NIHR ARC West published in BMC Family Practice.
Rethinking impact with the story of the low dead space project
15 December 2020: A joint ARC West and NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol (HPRU BSE) project to encourage people who inject drugs to switch to safer low dead space injecting equipment has been turned into a story,…
Majority of University of Bristol students are complying with government COVID-19 guidelines
15 December 2020: The majority of University of Bristol students are complying with government COVID-19 guidelines and are self-isolating when receiving a positive test, indicates a study that has investigated student social contact patterns and behaviours. The research led by…
Spread Germ Defence, not the virus!
25 November 2020: With Covid-19 infections still high and people preparing for Christmas gatherings, it is vitally important to try to reduce the spread of infection in people’s homes as this is where infections are now most likely to be transmitted. Research suggests people…
Treatment for drug addiction – how do patients cope in lockdown?
24 November 2020: There are encouraging signs that people in treatment for drug addiction can manage their medication when they are entrusted with a substantial quantity of opiate substitutes and told to take it in small daily doses. This finding comes from an ‘early insight’…
Accuracy of rapid test for COVID-19 may be lower than previously suggested
12 November 2020: The accuracy of a rapid finger-prick antibody test for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection, may be considerably lower than previously suggested, finds a study published by The BMJ.
Major new project secures nearly £500K in funding to tackle HIV inequalities in the African and Caribbean communities of Bristol
28 October 2020: A major new three-year-project is to launch in Bristol to work with people of African and Caribbean heritage to increase HIV testing and awareness and reduce the stigma of the virus.
Evidence that new consent procedures for HPV vaccine can sometimes improve uptake
16 October 2020: An evaluation of new procedures for getting parents’ or young people’s consent to the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination has found some evidence of improved uptake of the vaccine but results were mixed.
Bristol’s Professor Yardley awarded OBE for services to Covid-19 response
13 October 2020: University of Bristol professor, Lucy Yardley, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 for her services to the Covid-19 response. Professor Yardley is an Executive Group member of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural…
RAPCI study final report reveals how general practice has coped with COVID-19
13 October 2020: The final report from a study that monitored changes in general practice during the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic reveals how staff have coped and how consultations with patients have changed.
Stopping the spread of coronavirus in universities
15 September 2020: As universities prepare to welcome students back, infectious disease modelling experts at the University of Bristol have conducted a rapid review and developed a new epidemic model which contributed to evidence considered by SAGE to assess the effectiveness of…
Back to School final report reveals views of young people, families and school staff
15 September 2020: Back to School final report reveals views of young people, families and school staff
How can we get pupils and staff back-to-school safely during COVID-19?
11 September 2020: A ground-breaking research project will test whether 5,000 staff and pupils have active or past COVID-19 infection, develop systems to help schools prevent and cope with an outbreak and assess strategies to support the mental wellbeing of the school community…
Researchers win funding for vital research to tackle Scotland’s drugs deaths crisis
4 August 2020: Addictions experts have been awarded more than £170,000 in Scottish Government funding to lead life-saving research to help tackle the country’s drugs death challenge.
Sharing learning from the HepCATT trial
14 July 2020: Hepatitis C case-finding in primary care: we’re sharing learning from the HepCATT trial to support the implementation of the NHS England Hepatitis C Virus Elimination Initiative in Primary Care.
Researchers to investigate social contact and physical distancing behaviours during COVID-19
1 July 2020: It is known that coronavirus spreads between close contacts. Researchers at the University of Bristol are investigating social contact patterns and physical distancing behaviours to help understand how the virus spreads.
Reducing hepatitis C among people who inject drugs: evidence for policy makers
26 June 2020: A new PolicyBristol briefing brings together evidence from a range of research projects investigating strategies to reduce hepatitis C transmission among people who inject drugs.
Researchers to explore the impact of COVID-19 on people who inject drugs
21 May 2020: A new study by researchers at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol will explore how coronavirus is impacting on people who inject drugs and how drug treatment services can adapt to support…
Roll-out of coronavirus behaviour change website will help public transition to ‘new normal’
11 May 2020: The rapid redeployment of the infection control website ‘Germ Defence’ in response to COVID-19 can play an important role in changing people’s behaviours and cutting infection, say researchers.
Germs, homes and apps: can we do more to protect people at home when a family member has coronavirus?
6 May 2020: A paper published in the BMJ today [6 May] argues that since most people with Covid-19 are cared for at home, it may be important to try to protect the people caring for them by limiting how much virus they come in contact with, the ‘viral load’.
Billions worldwide living with herpes
5 May 2020: About half a billion people worldwide are living with genital herpes, and several billion have an oral herpes infection, new estimates show, highlighting the need to improve awareness and scale up services to prevent and treat herpes.
Elizabeth Blackwell Institute funds research projects to tackle COVID-19
28 April 2020: Four NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Behavioural Science and Evaluation-led research projects to help tackle the global health crisis have been funded by the University of Bristol’s Elizabeth Blackwell Institute.
Rapid research in the time of COVID-19
24 April 2020: Researchers at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation are supporting the local applied research community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is being co-ordinated by NIHR ARC West.
£14.1 million funding announced for new COVID-19 research on treatments, vaccines and epidemiology
23 April 2020: Twenty-one new studies into the novel coronavirus have been funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
UKRI priority funding for ‘Germ Defence’ app to help reduce worldwide COVID-19 spread
21 April 2020: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced priority funding for ‘Germ Defence’ – the only digital behavioural infection control intervention worldwide. Proven to reduce the transmission of infections in the home, clinicians and researchers from the…
Re-launching our HPRU with a new focus and identity
1 April 2020: From today, we will be known as the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation (HPRU BSE) at the University of Bristol (formerly NIHR HPRU in Evaluation of Interventions). This change reflects our expanded scope to use insights into…
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
24 March 2020: As one of 14 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs) in England that provide research support and capacity to Public Health England (PHE), we are joining colleagues from HPRUs across the country to support PHE’s…
Intervention to help GPs identify, assess and treat patients with hepatitis C found to be effective
27 February 2020: The first UK clinical trial to increase the identification and treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) patients in primary care has been found to be effective, acceptable to staff and highly cost-effective for the NHS. The University of Bristol-led Hepatitis C…
Big investment needed to eliminate hepatitis C in Pakistan could deliver huge health benefits
19 February 2020: A large investment of at least US$3.9 billion needed to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target for the elimination of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Pakistan could deliver huge benefits in terms of lives saved and reduced ill health, according to…
Professor Helen Lambert appointed Global Health Challenge Leader by UKRI
18 February 2020: Professor Helen Lambert from the University of Bristol and member of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions has been appointed a Global Health Challenge Leader by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and will join the flagship…
New research into how peace of mind can influence parents’ attitude to vaccines
5 February 2020: Findings should be used to inform vaccination schedule, says charity. The qualitative study, published in Vaccine, found that peace of mind should be considered in the health economic framework used by decision makers.
Educating young people about the HPV vaccine
4 February 2020: Researchers from the University of Bristol have received funding from the Medical Research Council to develop an educational package to increase the uptake of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine in schools.
£4M funding boost for Bristol’s Health Protection Research Unit
27 January 2020: We have been awarded a £4M funding boost from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to fund a new Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation.
Hepatitis C: more testing and treatment needed for men who have sex with men
10 January 2020: Relatively modest increases in Hepatitis C virus testing delivered through routine NHS appointments could help the UK meet the World Health Organization target for eilimination of the virus in men who have sex with men.
Doctors should avoid co-prescribing benzodiazepines to opioid dependent patients due to increased risk of overdose death
17 December 2019: Doctors should avoid co-prescribing benzodiazepines to opioid dependent patients who are being treated with methadone or buprenorphine, also known as opioid agonist treatment (OAT), due to a three-fold increase in risk of overdose death.
Pilot study helps reduce use of opioid painkillers in patients with long-term pain
17 December 2019: A pioneering pilot service set up in South Gloucestershire to review patients’ use of prescription opioid painkillers for long-term pain has helped many users reduce their use and improve their quality of life.
New study to evaluate patients’ electronic access to medical test results
8 November 2019: A new study by researchers at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions and the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol will review and evaluate the electronic test results services currently offered to…
Flooding has a big impact on people’s mental health
5 November 2019: Flooding can have a profound effect on people’s mental health, and aspects of their health-related quality of life according to research by led by Public Health England and the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at the University…
The Lancet: 20th century views and responses to drug use are no longer fit for purpose
24th October 2019: A report from The Lancet, co-authored by Professor Matthew Hickman and others from the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at the University of Bristol, calls for a new international approach to drug use – using evidence-based…
Special issue of Mathematics Today celebrates women’s contributions to mathematical biology
15 October 2019: A special ‘Biology and Medicine’ issue of Mathematics Today published on 12 October is celebrating women’s contribution s to mathematical biology.
Hepatitis C prevention: ‘treat-all’ strategy is important but targeting people who inject drugs has the greatest benefit
1 October 2019: Treating all hepatitis C (HCV) infections helps prevent transmission of the disease globally but targeting treatment at people who inject drugs has the greatest benefit per treatment given.
Model shows that screening for hepatitis C in NHS Health Checks could be cost-effective
3 September 2019: Screening for hepatitis C as part of the NHS adult Health Check programme could be cost-effective, according to a study led by researchers from the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Evaluation of Interventions, at the University of Bristol, the…
School-based provision of flu vaccine increases uptake
20 August 2019: Vaccinating children in schools against influenza results in greater vaccine uptake, with less variation between sites and by age group, compared to programmes delivered through GPs and pharmacies according to a new study by researchers from Public Health…
Potential link between cannabis use and tuberculosis: more research is needed
14 August 2019: A systematic review of the association between cannabis use and the risk of tuberculosis (TB) led by the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at the University of Bristol has been published in BMC Public Health.
Medications for opioid dependence linked to reduced crime rates
6 August 2019: Methadone and buprenorphine, medications used to treat opioid dependence, are associated with a significant reduction in crime rates and staying in treatment is key.
Hepatitis C – new models of care for drugs services
6 August 2019: The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has launched a new set of hepatitis C (HCV) resources to support the HCV elimination agenda to coincide with #WorldHepatitisDay 2019 (28 July).
Hepatitis C infections could be greatly reduced in the US
11 July 2019: New research has found that an increase of clean injecting equipment provided through syringe service programmes, provision of medication assisted treatment (MAT), and antiviral treatment for hepatitis C (HCV) among people who inject drugs could reduce incidence of…
£9 million boost for health research in the west country
11 July 2019: Health researchers in the west country have been given a £9 million award from the Government’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to enable them to tackle the area’s most pressing health problems.
New Research Fellow in Health Service Implementation to boost research impact
25 June 2019: Dr Clare Thomas has been appointed Research Fellow in Health Service Implementation at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at the University of Bristol, a joint post with NIHR CLAHRC West.
Rising opioid-related deaths are a public health crisis
18 June 2019: Rising deaths from opioid drug use in England and Scotland are a public health crisis and urgent action is needed, according to Professor Matt Hickman and colleagues in The Lancet Psychiatry.
Co-designing harm reduction materials with Bristol Drugs Project service users
11 June 2019: A paper describing a project to implement research findings using materials co-designed by Bristol Drugs Project services users has been published in Harm Reduction Journal.
More support needed to increase HIV testing in GP practices
7 June 2019: One-off training sessions for GPs are not enough to increase rates of HIV testing in general practice and greater support is needed, according to researchers from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of…
Antimicrobial Resistance Partnership Hub launched in China
21 May 2019: The University of Bristol along with Peking University and a consortium of partners has launched the ‘UK-China AMR Partnership Program on strategies to reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance in China’.
£6.6 million for major UK non-communicable disease prevention project
14 May 2019: The UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) awards £6.6 million to the University of Bristol and partners to tackle unhealthy urban planning and development linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, obesity, poor mental health, cancer and…
Up to 43 per cent of hepatitis C infections could be prevented if transmission among people who inject drugs was reduced
10 April 2019: Stepping up efforts to prevent transmission of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs, could reduce future infections by 43 per cent globally, according to a study by researchers at the University of Bristol published in the Lancet Gastroenterology and…
No active recall is the most economical way of recalling individuals for chlamydia retesting
9 April 2019: A study published by researchers at Bristol University, in partnership with Public Health England, has examined which method of recalling individuals for chlamydia retesting is the most economical.
Blog: Zoonotic TB affects humans and needs to be taken seriously
2 April 2019: With 40 new cases of zoonotic tuberculosis in the UK in 2017, and incidence globally likely to be underestimated, Dr Ellen Brooks-Pollock argues it’s time this preventable disease was taken seriously.
NIHR Senior Investigator award for Professor Alastair Hay
26 March 2019: Professor Alastair Hay awarded Senior Investigator status by the NIHR in 2019.
GW4 Crucible 2019 – Dr Gemma Lasseter selected to explore Digital Innovation
21 February 2019: Dr Gemma Lasseter, Senior Research Associate and Programme Manager for the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions has been awarded a place as one of the competitively selected 30 future research leaders on the 2019 GW4 Crucible…
New project to reduce harm from bacterial infections among people who inject drugs in Bristol
19 February 2019: A new project to reduce harm from invasive bacterial infections among people who inject drugs in and around Bristol has been launched as part of the ‘Design in the Public Sector’ programme delivered by the Design Council and funded by the Local Government…
Needle and syringe programmes are highly cost-effective at preventing hepatitis C transmission and could save money
24 January 2019: Providing clean injecting equipment through needle and syringe programmes is a highly cost-effective way of preventing hepatitis C (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs and could save millions of pounds in infection treatment costs in the UK.
Children’s respiratory infections can last up to three weeks
23 January 2019: Children’s respiratory infection symptoms, including runny nose, dry cough and sore throat, can seem never-ending. Researchers from the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care have found that it can take up to three weeks for 90 per cent of…
New developments in serological testing for chlamydia could have huge public health benefits
15 January 2019: Improved tests that detect Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in blood serum (serological tests) have the potential to transform the public health response to chlamydia infection in the UK and internationally, according to experts in an article published in Lancet…
10 years of human papilloma virus vaccination in Europe
20 December 2018: It is 10 years since the introduction of the first human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programmes in Europe. Professor Adam Finn highlighted the successes, challenges and striking variations in vaccination coverage at an international event in Portugal in…
New materials designed with people who inject drugs to promote the benefits of low dead space equipment
11 December 2018: New posters, a booklet and an animation, co-designed by service users from Bristol Drugs Project, are being launched on 24 January to promote the benefits of low dead space injecting equipment for people who inject drugs, alongside broader harm reduction…
Drug deaths paper wins European scientific award
27 November 2018: A paper co-authored by Professor Matthew Hickman, co-Director of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation of Interventions at the University of Bristol, with Professor John Marsden (National Addiction Centre, Kings College London) has been…
ESRC award to create infographics
NIHR CLAHRC West and the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Evaluation of Interventions have been awarded a grant of £20K to produce infographics and training materials for people who inject drugs and needle and syringe programme staff.
Incarceration is likely to increase HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs
29 October 2018: New research led by the University of Bristol has found that, among people who inject drugs, recent incarceration was associated with an 81 per cent and 62 per cent increase in HIV and HCV acquisition risk, respectively.
Vaccines a victim of their own success?
09 October 2018: Professor Adam Finn gives an impassioned speech on the importance of effective vaccination programmes at the 68th Session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Regional Committee for Europe in Rome in September.
Blog: Can we eliminate human papilloma virus?
12 September 2018: Dr Sam Merriel and Dr Joanna Kesten ask whether and how we can eliminate human papilloma virus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Are we doing enough?
Prescribing antibiotics for child cough does not reduce hospitalisation risk
11 September 2018: Study finds little evidence that antibiotics reduce the risk of children with cough ending up in hospital, suggesting that this is an area in which unnecessary antibiotic prescribing could be reduced.
Overcoming obstacles to social science research in AMR
4 September 2018: Professor Helen Lambert has described her work as the Economic and Social Research Council’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research Champion (2015-2017) in an article published in Impact.
We have a new website!
10 July 2018: We have a new website, launched today, which strengthens our identity as one of 13 National Institute for Health Research-funded Health Protection Research Units in England.
UK public shows strong preference for vaccines that prevent severe illness
13 June 2018: The UK public has a clear preference for funding vaccination programmes which protect young children against severe diseases, finds a new study that considered the public’s preferences on vaccines available on the NHS.
Buprenorphine may be a safer opioid substitute than methadone
20 April 2018: The less commonly prescribed opioid substitute buprenorphine may be safer than methadone for problem opioid users, especially if used during the first month of treatment.