Key points

• As was the case in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic substantially affected HIV community testing in Ireland with the closure of many testing sites during large time periods in 2021. Furthermore, one prior community testing partner was excluded from 2021 data due to changes in its structure and two other former community testing partners were unable to test in 2021. These factors partly explain a 58.5% decrease in HIV community testing numbers between 2019 and 2021.
• The introduction of a home-testing programme for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, by the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) in 2021, in addition to the continuation of the MPOWER self-testing HIV programme, has been popular and may complement the role of community testing.
• In all, 2,327 voluntary community-based HIV tests were performed in 2021.
• By test method, 1,249 (87.2%) were performed using rapid point-of-care testing and 189 (12.8%) were performed using standard laboratory methods.
• Forty-four people had a positive/reactive HIV test, corresponding to a 1.9% test reactivity rate.
• By test setting, the test reactivity rate was highest (3.3%) in international protection applicant/direct provision settings