Assessment of Index Case Family Testing Among Adults Attending Art Clinic at Kule Refugee Camp, Southwest Ethiopia: 2021

Abstract

Background Human immune virus testing and counseling is the gateway to accessing anti-retro viral treatment. As a priority population group, families of index clients have been largely neglected due to a number of different factors. Testing sexual partners and children of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive persons (index case finding) is a promising way of identifying HIV-positive persons unaware of their HIV status. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of index case family testing and its associated factors among adults attending an ART clinic at Kule Refugee Camp, southwestern Ethiopia, 2021. Methods and Materials An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Kule Refugee Camp, Gambela region. A total of 348 adult ART clinic attendants were selected by using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by using a pre-tested interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with index case family testing. The strength of association was assessed by adjusted odds ratio, and statistical significance was declared at a p -value <0.05 and 95% CI. Results The proportion of index case family testing was 49.%. Educational level: primary level (AOR=2.4, 95% CI=1.24–4.42), secondary level and above (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.20–4.70), ART adherence (AOR = 6, 95% CI = 2.8–14.1), years on ART (AOR = 2, 95% CI = 1.10–3.20), discussion about HIV testing (AOR=3.6, 95% CI=1.30–10.30), disclosure status (AOR 6, 95% CI=2.21–16.94), and being tested through voluntary counseling and testing (AOR=3.0, 95% CI1.70–5.70) were factors significantly associated with index case family HIV testing. Conclusion and Recommendations This study revealed that the proportion of index case family HIV testing in Kule Refugee Camp was 49%. Educational status, adherence status, disclosure status, years on ART, and voluntary counseling and testing were determinant factors. Health professionals should advise index cases to adhere to ART drugs, to disclose their HIV status to their families, and should provide counseling based on guidelines.

Acceptance of Index Case HIV Testing and Its Associated Factors Among HIV/AIDS Clients on ART Follow-Up in West Ethiopia: A Multi-Centered Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Index testing is a voluntary process where counselors or health care workers ask index clients to list all of their sexual partners within the past year and children. 21 …”

“…Acceptance is when index clients welcome testing of their family and the consent of the index client is obtained that shows the test result of their partner and/or children are in the individual folder. 21 …”

Unified European support framework to sustain the HIV cascade of care for people living with HIV including in displaced populations of war-struck Ukraine

“…Initiate widespread testing for all people at risk of HIV infection by risk behaviour and HIV indicator conditions 47,[59][60][61] Free and widely available HIV testing services including in countries welcoming refugees with good accessible health-care services; HIV testing destigmatisation; specific focus risk assessment of non-traditional key populations such as soldiers and people who have been in contact with injured people; resources (HIV rapid tests) available…”

“…Population-based HIV or health impact assessment (web-based) surveys and testing 47,55 Standard health interviews and free testing according to an evidence-based standard operating procedure upon arrival in a country welcoming refugees HIV mobile, workplace, and home-based testing services 43,45,47,60,61 Integrate testing facilities in mobile HIV outreach teams; easy and free testing kits available for at work or home…”

“…Continued attention is needed to screen for risk factors, 61 especially in those who suffered from war traumas (including abduction) or post-traumatic stress disorder who will also need mental health support with traumainformed HIV services. [63][64][65] Support would be needed to help restart research initiated before the war, 66 and to set up new research projects in Ukraine.…”