Evaluation of national CHAPS interventions

Duration: November 1996 - March 2012

CHAPS is a collaborative programme of HIV health promotion for gay men and bisexual men living in England and Wales. It is co-ordinated by Terrence Higgins Trust on behalf of a range of project partners, including Sigma Research. The CHAPS programme includes a national HIV prevention mass media campaign each year, which usually include adverts, leaflets, magazines and other small media. Data from the Gay Men's Sex Survey is used to inform the targets and aims of these interventions and their development is supported by pre-testing with the target audience via focus groups.

After the launch of the interventions, Sigma generates performance data about their performance. This includes an annual coverage survey where gay men and bisexual men are asked if they recognise the adverts, magazines and leaflets. This survey occurs online as part of the Gay Men's Sex Survey, giving a sample size of about 8-9,000 men per year. This data is used to look in greater detail at the targeting of the campaigns. Using data from these surveys, we make recommendations on the most efficient media spend for advertising.

In addition, we undertake end-user focus groups in which gay men and bisexual men are asked about their opinions, reactions and responses to the campaigns. This work follows on from the pre-testing groups, and looks at the relevance of the campaigns in situ.

We also evaluate the sector development or facilitation interventions, undertaken within the CHAPS partnership including training events, Expert Think Tank Seminars and the annual CHAPS conference.

Three CHAPS summary final evaluation reports are available alongside many of the interim reports of CHAPS evaluation activities on which they are based. Click here for more details.

CHAPS evaluation is funded by Terrence Higgins Trust as part of CHAPS, a national HIV prevention initiative funded by the Department of Health.

Key contact:

CHAPS national delivery partners:
Terrence Higgins Trust
GMFA
NAM

CHAPS regional lead agencies:
East of England lead agency: Terrence Higgins Trust East
East Midlands lead agency: Trade Sexual Health
London lead agencies: The Metro Centre London and Terrence Higgins Trust
North East lead agency: none at present
North West lead agency: The Lesbian and Gay Foundation
South Central lead agency: Terrence Higgins Trust Thames
South East Coast lead agency: Terrence Higgins Trust South
South West lead agencies: The Eddystone Trust and Terrence Higgins Trust West
West Midlands lead agencies: Healthy Gay Living and Terrence Higgins Trust Midlands
Yorkshire & Humber lead agency: Yorkshire MESMAC