Index case testing, a strategy of improving HIV positivity yield among sexual partners and biological children of Newly diagnosed HIV positive clients in Minna, Nigeria

Abstract
Introduction: The Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Index case testing strategy involves the provision of HIV testing services (HTS) to sexual partners or family members of known HIV positive individuals (index clients). This approach was introduced in our facility in September 2019 aimed at identifying sexual partners of newly diagnosed HIV positive clients as a key intervention in identifying new HIV infection.
Objective: To assess HIV positivity yield among sexual partners and biological children of Newly diagnosed HIV positive clients.
Methodology: This is an interventional, non-controlled study, designed to assess the outcome of Index case testing in improving the detection of HIV infections. It involves the identification of sexual partners and biological children of newly diagnosed HIV positive clients (Index case). The index case is then requested to notify his or her sexual partner(s) to avail themselves for HIV testing. Any of the elicited partner that reports or contacted are offered HIV counseling and testing. Biological children of the index case are also offered HIV Testing Services (HTS). A questionnaire was used to collect data from index cases and sexual partners by health care provider on demographic and sexual characteristics of participants following their consent. Data collected was entered into SPSS version 23. Data was analyzed using both Excel and SPSS version 23.
Results: A total of 448 individuals out of the 552 elicited partners were tested, giving a percentage of those elicited that were tested (448/522) of 85.8%. out of the 448 partners that were tested 265 know their HIV status and were already on ARV medication. A total of 178 partners who never knew their HIV status were tracked and tested, and 48 tested positive, yielding a positivity rate (48/178) of 27% which was statistically significant.
Conclusion: The HIV positivity yield using Index case testing strategy among sexual partners and biological children of newly diagnosed HIV positive Clients was significant and therefore of added value as a key intervention in diagnosing new HIV infections, thereby contributing towards the attainment of the first 95% of UNAIDS target.

Keywords
Human immunodeficiency virus, HIV testing services (HTS), Index case, Sexual partners and HIV positivity yield.

Cite this paper
Chindo Ibrahim Bisallah, Onyilo Ochigbo Michael, Prince Obinna Anyanwu, Bilkisu Sulaiman, Index case testing, a strategy of improving HIV positivity yield among sexual partners and biological children of Newly diagnosed HIV positive clients in Minna, Nigeria , SCIREA Journal of Health. Volume 5, Issue 3, June 2021 | PP. 45-57. 10.54647/pmh33158

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