Measuring the gap: from Home Office to the National Health Service in the provision of a one-stop shop sexual health service in a female prison in the UK

Abstract

The Genitourinary (GU) Medicine Service was transferred from the Home Office to the NHS from April 2006 at this female prison to give prisoners access to the same quality of health care as the general public. Medline search showed no published data on the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female prisoners in the UK. The main aim was to develop a one stop sexual health shop and to determine the prevalence and risk factors for STIs, to determine the uptake rate for HIV testing, hepatitis B vaccination and cervical cytology along with requests for usage of contraceptive services. Challenges were met when introducing change to bring the services in line with the local GU medicine clinic. Review of the service at one year along with retrospective case note review from May 2006 to August 2007 was done. Of the 545 new patients seen, history of substance abuse, IVDU, sexual abuse, sex worker and past history of hepatitis C virus and chlamydia were 86%, 41%,12%, 6%, 17% and 24% respectively. The uptake rate for both STI screen and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) testing was high at 87% and 69.3% respectively. STI was diagnosed in 19.6%. Prevalence rates were: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) 8.2%, chlamydia 5.3%, gonorrhoea 0.2%, genital warts 5.3%, HIV 0.8%, hepatitis C virus 12% and hepatitis B virus 11%. The uptake rate for 1st dose hepatitis B vaccination and cervical cytology were 70% and 92% respectively, 36 accessed contraceptive services. Provision of one stop shop in a female prison is feasible and practical. STIs, particularly TV, and BBVs prevalence is high among the female inmates. Prevention methods targeting this population needs to be intensified.