Abstract:
Background: With over 38 million people living with HIV worldwide, the virus
continues to be a serious public health challenge. Kenya and other countries continue
to carry the greatest burden of HIV, with almost 67% of incidences. Homa Bay
County has an HIV prevalence of 19.6% and recorded 5,643 new HIV infections in
2022. Ndhiwa sub-County reported 892 new cases, the highest among all sub-counties
in the county.
Objectives: To determine what percentage of newly diagnosed HIV-positive people
receiving treatment informed their sexual partners through assisted partner
notification services (aPNS), determine the preferred method of referral and describe
the factors that influence the uptake of aPNS.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among newly diagnosed HIV
clients enrolled in HIV care and treatment services in Ndhiwa Sub-County. Using
systematic sampling, a total of 254 participants were selected from the sampled health
facilities. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires. The analysis of
continuous variables was done using measures of central tendency and dispersion,
whereas categorical variables were presented using frequencies and percentages.
Associations between independent variables and the uptake of aPNS were assessed
using crude odds ratios (cOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Variables with a p-
value <0.05 were considered statistically significant
Results: Of the 254 participants in the study, 63.4% were female. The proportion of
index clients who disclosed their HIV status to their sexual partners was 78.7%. The
provider referral method was preferred by the majority of the study participants,
accounting for 43.7%. Uptake of aPNS was independently associated with the testing
location of the index client (aOR=3.8; 95% CI: 1.46-9.83, p-value=0.006), knowledge
of the HIV status of their sexual partner(s) (aOR =5.2; 95% CI: 2.09–11.43; p-value=
0.002) and absence of intimate partner violence (aOR=15.0; 95% CI: 4.92-45.80, p-
value <0.001).
Conclusion: There was a high uptake of aPNS among newly diagnosed HIV-positive
clients. The provider referral was the most preferred method. Testing location,
knowledge of partner’s HIV status, and absence of intimate partner violence increased
the uptake od aPNS.
Recommendation: Provider referral should be promoted as the preferred option
among index clients. The HIV care settings should incorporate routine IPV screening,
counseling, and support services to ensure client safety and facilitate safe disclosure.
Longitudinal studies should be recommended to monitor trends in aPNS uptake and
associated factors over time.
