High Positivity Yield of Hiv Index Case Testing in Mamfe Health District, South West Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Abstract Background: Index testing (IT) is a voluntary process whereby HIV seropositive clients are counselled and, after obtaining consent, their sexual and needle sharing partners are offered HIV testing services. IT has been associated with high HIV positivity rate. The aim of this study is to determine the positivity rate and factors influencing IT yield among sexual partners (SP) of newly diagnosed Index client (IC) at Mamfe District Hospital (MDH). Methods: Records of all newly diagnosed HIV positive clients with an outcome for IT in MDH between July and September 2021, were reviewed retrospectively. Data were collected using a chart abstraction template from the IT registers. Analyses were done using the R Software Package version 4.0.4. Chi-square was used to test association between different groups at a significance level of p<0.01. Results: Records of 133 consecutive newly diagnosed IC, 48.1% males vs 51.9% females and their 156 listed SP, 50.6% males vs 49.4% females were reviewed. Mean ages of the IC and SP were 39±10 and 37±11 years respectively and a majority of IC (39.9%) and SP (42.9%) were in the 35-44 years age group. 37.2% (58/156) of partners tested positive for HIV and were all linked to antiretroviral therapy. All SP were notified by provider referral method. HIV results of both male and female partners were not significantly associated with age group (p>0.05). HIV positivity rate of 42.9% (33/77) in female partners was not significantly higher than 31.6% (25/79) in male partners (p>0.05) Conclusions: The positivity rate of IT among both male and female SP of new IC was high with no significance difference. Most of the IC and SP were aged 35-44 years and essentially in heterosexual relationship. Prioritizing and sustaining IT to partners of new IC using provider referral is a veritable strategy and need to be implemented with fidelity to increase case finding in order to boost ART uptake especially in the age group 35-44.