title: Routine testing for blood-borne viruses in prisons: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People in prison have a higher burden of blood-borne virus (BBV) infection than the general population, and prisons present an opportunity to test for BBVs in high-risk, underserved groups. Changes to the BBV testing policies in English prisons have recently been piloted. This review will enable existing evidence to inform policy revisions. We describe components of routine HIV, hepatitis B and C virus testing policies in prisons and quantify testing acceptance, coverage, result notification and diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched five databases for studies of both opt-in (testing offered to all and the individual chooses to have the test or not) and opt-out (the individual is informed the test will be performed unless they actively refuse) prison BBV testing policies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four studies published between 1989 and 2013 met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 82% were conducted in the USA, 91% included HIV testing and most tested at the time of incarceration. HIV testing acceptance rates ranged from 22 to 98% and testing coverage from 3 to 90%. Mixed results were found for equity in uptake. Six studies reported reasons for declining a test including recent testing and fear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the quality of evidence is mixed, this review suggests that reasonable rates of uptake can be achieved with opt-in and, even better, with opt-out HIV testing policies. Little evidence was found relating to hepatitis testing. Policies need to specify exclusion criteria and consider consent processes, type of test and timing of the testing offer to balance acceptability, competence and availability of individuals.
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK carolinerumble@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rumble
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pevalin
authors.affiliation: 3 Health and Justice, Public Health England, Reading RG1 7EB, UK.
authors.forename: Éamonn
authors.initials: É
authors.lastname: O'Moore
mesh_terms: D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057766:Policy; D011330:Prisons / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors