title: Doing the analysis differently. Using narrative to inform understanding of patient participation in contact tracing for sexually transmissible infections.
abstract: The aims and objectives of this paper were to understand the key influences hindering patients, participation in the contact tracing process for sexually transmissible infection exposure; to study the anatomy of acomplex sexual network through the eyes of a committed contact tracer and a group of teenagers; and to identify lessons from the research. Unstructured and group interviews were undertaken with a group of sixth form students and an unstructured interview with a contact tracer. Cue (storyboards) cards and hypothetical sexual networks were used--the outcome demonstrated that generated narrative about sexual network experiences can be analysed using a schema of representation of experience and could be subjected to Labov's structural categories for assignment of spheres of action, to undertake interpretation. Themes identified include: confidentiality, secrecy, friendship, community, the law and social sanctions. We conclude that contact tracing is under the spotlight and that we need to understand the personal experiences of being subjected to a process where little consideration has been given to the social and psychological consequences. Narrative analytic strategies can be applied to gain this much-needed rich data.
authors: East Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust, Grimsby, Lincolnshire UK.
authors: Anthony James
authors: AJ
authors: Rea
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016358:Contact Tracing; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D033262:Narration; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011634:Public Health; D011640:Public Policy; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006113:United Kingdom