Applying Normalisation Process Theory to a peer-delivered complex health intervention for people experiencing...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Sciences
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study focused on a peer-delivered harm reduction intervention.
• The intervention targeted individuals experiencing homelessness and problem substance use.
• Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) provided the theoretical framework for the study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a peer-delivered harm reduction intervention for a vulnerable population.
• To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention using Normalisation Process Theory (NPT).
• To identify enhancements for improving the health and well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use.

Main Methods:

• Recruited four Peer Navigators with lived experience of homelessness and/or substance use.
• Hosted Peer Navigators in six homelessness services across Scotland and England.
• Utilized qualitative data from a mixed-methods evaluation guided by NPT.

Main Results:

• The peer-delivered intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable to participants, Peer Navigators, and host service staff.
• Challenges encountered during implementation were outweighed by the intervention's benefits.
• NPT proved useful in optimizing the intervention's fit within its context.

Conclusions:

• This study represents the first application of NPT to this cohort by non-clinicians in non-healthcare settings.
• The application of NPT facilitated the identification of intervention enhancements.
• The primary aim was to improve the health and well-being of an underserved population experiencing homelessness and substance use.