Enhancing Self Care

Promoting smoking cessation during pregnancy

This study investigates the feasibility and likelihood of success of a narrative and image-based intervention for smoking cessation in pregnant women. The intervention, informed by theories of health behaviour change, factors influencing smoking behaviour in pregnancy and stakeholder input, aims to alter women’s perceptions of risk, social norms, outcomes and self-efficacy using targeted behaviour change techniques. It embeds these techniques in a narrative story, images of fetus and tailored supportive responses, which are delivered to women through a series of text-messages. The study investigates the feasibility of evaluating this intervention in a randomised controlled trial.

Talking health and housing

Funded by Innovate UK and in collaboration with Age Concern Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University, Talking Mats Ltd and Wheatley Housing Group Limited, this study aims to conduct a feasibility study to co-design, implement, evaluate and deliver a visual, digital care management application for those who find communicating their health needs challenging.

Impact of minimum unit pricing of alcohol on ambulance call-outs in Scotland

This CSO funded study is the first to determine whether increasing the price of cheap alcohol affects ambulance call-outs. Ambulance call-outs due to alcohol cost up to £52 million annually in Scotland. Under the Scottish Government ‘Minimum Unit Pricing’ policy, the cheapest alcoholic drinks became more expensive from 1st May 2018. Research suggests that this will reduce drinking, especially in heavier drinkers from deprived backgrounds, but the knock-on effect on ambulance call-outs is unknown. Using detailed data from the Scottish Ambulance Service, we are examining if the Minimum Pricing Unit has an impact on alcohol-related call-outs, including in different groups (varying by sex/age/wealth).

The findings will help the Scottish Government, who must decide in 2024 if enough evidence exists of benefits of minimum pricing to continue it beyond that date, and will support the Scottish Ambulance service with service planning.

Evaluation of family life story project

A life story can give a sense of identity and help to share memories, experiences and significant events. The compilation of a life story can be an empowering process leading to the individual feeling valued, listened to and most importantly give them ‘a voice’.  Many parents of people with Down’s syndrome (who previously did not enjoy such longevity) worry about what the future holds for their family member and what might happen when they can no longer provide care. Having a life story can not only ease challenging transitions and help the person come to terms with change, but can also help to continue important routines as well as being crucial for support services to ‘know the person’.

Funded by the RS MacDonald Charitable Trust and using pre- and post- testing, the University of Stirling are evaluating this project which supports families of people with Down's syndrome in Scotland to develop a life story in a format that is appropriate for each individual.