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Background <p>Early diagnosis and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) remain strategic priorities for health services in the UK. Reaching those at high risk, including people in contact with the justice system, remains a key challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of STIs and BBVs. One setting that is yet to be used in the UK to identify STIs and BBVs is probation. Our objective was to examine whether a probation site (PS) is an acceptable and accessible setting for the provision of STI and BBV tests.</p> Methods <p><i>Intervention</i>. Testing for STIs and BBVs was offered to probation users attending a local probation setting in Wales, UK. Testing was offered via three methods: a finger-prick dried blood spot test, Rapid POCT oral swab, or finger-prick PCR micro-capillary finger prick test.</p> <p><i>Evaluation</i>. Semi-structured interviews were used to provide insights from the testing team and probation staff who delivered and supported the testing service.</p> Results <p>The programme was offered to all service users attending the PS over 18 working days. In total, 439 people were tested, 56% of whom had no previous record of being screened in Wales. Nine infections were identified and the majority of these were in people who appeared not to have previously accessed testing. Nine factors that affected uptake were identified. These included PS staff buy in, the location of the services, consistency, and empathy. Treatment uptake and completion rates were high for all infections.</p> Conclusions <p>This pilot study demonstrated that probation is an effective and acceptable setting to provide STI and BBV testing. The programme reached many people who had not previously accessed testing. It also showed that treatment completion rates were high amongst those who tested positive.</p>

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Feasibility of providing Sexually Transmitted Infection and Blood Borne Virus testing in a UK probation setting: findings from a service evaluation

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年1月14日

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  • Aimée Challenger,
  • Benjamin J. Gray,
  • Louise Davies,
  • James Plant,
  • Stephanie E. Perrett

摘要

Background

Early diagnosis and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) remain strategic priorities for health services in the UK. Reaching those at high risk, including people in contact with the justice system, remains a key challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of STIs and BBVs. One setting that is yet to be used in the UK to identify STIs and BBVs is probation. Our objective was to examine whether a probation site (PS) is an acceptable and accessible setting for the provision of STI and BBV tests.

Methods

Intervention. Testing for STIs and BBVs was offered to probation users attending a local probation setting in Wales, UK. Testing was offered via three methods: a finger-prick dried blood spot test, Rapid POCT oral swab, or finger-prick PCR micro-capillary finger prick test.

Evaluation. Semi-structured interviews were used to provide insights from the testing team and probation staff who delivered and supported the testing service.

Results

The programme was offered to all service users attending the PS over 18 working days. In total, 439 people were tested, 56% of whom had no previous record of being screened in Wales. Nine infections were identified and the majority of these were in people who appeared not to have previously accessed testing. Nine factors that affected uptake were identified. These included PS staff buy in, the location of the services, consistency, and empathy. Treatment uptake and completion rates were high for all infections.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated that probation is an effective and acceptable setting to provide STI and BBV testing. The programme reached many people who had not previously accessed testing. It also showed that treatment completion rates were high amongst those who tested positive.