Magnitude and related factors of HIV index testing in selected government health facilities in Lideta sub city Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Date
2021-04
Authors
Feleke, Girma
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Introduction: Ethiopia is one of the countries’ most severely hit by HIV pandemic. Two percent of
new HIV infection 3% of HIV-related death occurred in Ethiopia in 2017. The national adult HIV
prevalence rate was 0.9% [1.2% in females and 0.7% males]. Index testing is focus on offering HIV
testing to everyone exposed to HIV by the index case. Ethiopian Country Operation Plan (COP19) is
focused on active case finding using Index Case Testing (ICT) (minimum 20% yields) as a major
component of service delivery efforts. This research analyzed the HIV sero-prevalence among sexual
partners and children of Index cases.
Objectives: To assess the magnitude and associated factors of HIV index testing among index cases
on ART follow-up in selected government health facilities in lideta subcity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Methods: Mixed method facility-based cross-sectional study design was used. Pretested checklist
was used to retrieve information from the client's medical record and analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Results were displayed in Odds ratio, confidence intervals, and P-value. Bivariate and multi variable
analysis used to analyze HIV index testing and the factors associated with it. Qualitative data was
collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using open code and thematic analysis approach.
Result: A total of 385 index cases on patient card reviewed from ART follow-up. Out of two hundred
ninety-one partners 84% and from 481 children 91% were tested. Sixty percent of partners and 9.6%
of children's test results were positive. The odds of HIV index testing were higher in male partners
AOR 8.43(1.32-8.94) than females. Index cases who had one children AOR of 7.59(2.39,26.95) and
two children AOR of 3.47(1.2,10.4) times more likely HIV tested than index cases with no children.
The qualitative test result showed that the major reasons for not testing their families were fear
disclosure, fear of positive test result, stigma and discrimination and service related factors.
Conclusions and Recommendation: This study showed that high proportions of index partners and
children have been tested for HIV. Out of tested partners, the majority test result was positive. Factor
that had a strong association with HIV index testing was being male partner and having one or two
children. The health institutions should strengthen ICT service in the ART unit to ensure the
sustainability of testing.
Description
Keywords
HIV index testing