Point-Of-Care Testing for HIV in an Irish Prison Setting: Results from Three Major Irish Prisons

HIV is more prevalent in the prison population compared to the general population. Prison inmates are at increased risk of blood-borne infections. Considerable stigma has been documented amongst inmates with HIV infection. 

In collaboration with the schools, healthcare facilities, prison authorities and inmate Irish Red Cross groups in Wheatfield, Cloverhill and Mountjoy prisons, the GUIDE clinic developed a campaign for raising awareness of HIV, educating inmates about HIV and tackling HIV stigma. Following this campaign, large scale point-of-care testing for HIV was offered over a short period. 

• In total 741 inmates were screened for HIV. 
• One inmate tested positive for HIV. 
• We experienced a large number of invalid test results, requiring formal laboratory serum testing, 
• and a small number of false positive results. 

Large scale point-of-care testing in the Irish prison setting is acceptable and achievable.

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By: Bannan CL1, Lynch PA2, Conroy EP2, O'Dea S3, Surah S3, Betts-Symonds G4, Lyons FE3

• 1Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases (GUIDE), St James's Hospital, Ireland
• 2Prison Healthcare Service, Irish Prison Service, Ireland.
• 3Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases (GUIDE), St James's Hospital, Ireland.
• 4Community Based Health and First Aid in Prisons, Irish Red Cross, Ireland.