SEX-RAR guide. The rapid assessment and response guide on substance use and sexual risk behaviour

This guide describes how to use Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) methods to both profile local substance use and sexual risk behaviours, and to identify appropriate intervention responses in time and resource poor settings. RAR approaches are typically employed in situations where data are needed quickly, where local resource constraints rule out more conventional research approaches, and where agencies require information to develop, monitor or evaluate intervention programmes.
Written primarily for those individuals about to undertake, organise or commission a RAR (including principal investigators, researchers, programme field staff, and key community stakeholders), the guide aims to provide help in (a) identifying the relationships between substance use and sexual behaviour in the local area; (b) describing the adverse health consequences associated with these behaviours; and (c) assessing the existing capacity and opportunities for intervention development.
To achieve this, the guide is comprised of six main sections: (i) key concepts - this describes the main principles of RAR; (ii) preparing for RAR - this introduces the key steps of planning a RAR and discusses the issues that may arise at each step; (iii) assessment stage - this section provides an overview of the topics and questions that a RAR may need to address, and describes the possible assessment tools and methods to use; (iv) response stage - this considers how findings from the RAR can be used to inform intervention developments, advocacy, and programme and policy action; (v) methods and tools - this section describes a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques which are used in RAR approaches; (vi) appendices - this section comprises a number of technical annexes and resources such as assessment matrices and suggested reporting structures.
The guide also contains an overview of current research knowledge on the relationship between substance use and sexual risk behaviour, and a list of additional supporting resources.