Outcomes of and factors associated with partner notification and HIV testing in Northeastern Tanzania.

Abstract Background: There is growing evidence of high effectiveness of partner notification (PN) in reaching previously undiagnosed sexual partners. As a result, there is increasing implementation of PN in sub-Saharan Africa. Tanzania, like other countries in the region, has recently expanded PN in HIV testing services. However, this approach is unlikely to yield the expected results if not well implemented. This study aimed to identify gaps and provide recommendations to improve routine implementation of PN in Tanzania.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across seven care and treatment centers (CTCs) in the Kilimanjaro region from November 2018 to April 2019. A total of 297 newly diagnosed HIV infected clients with sexual partner(s) in the past 24 months were recruited at 2 months of their CTC enrollment. Interviews using structured questionnaires were conducted. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were done.Results: Two-thirds (195) were females. The majority 165 (85%) of those counseled and had partner(s) not previously tested for HIV consented to PN. They all chose passive PN with 102 (62%) reporting successful HIV status disclosure to their partner(s). Reporting disclosure was associated with; being married adjusted odds ratio (aOR 5.1, 95%CI: 2.4–10.9, p < 0.001), in a relationship for > 10 years (aOR 4.9, 95%CI: 1.3–17.6, p = 0.02) and living with the partner(s) (aOR 3.4, 95%CI: 1.3–9.1, p = 0.02). Fifty-three clients (27%) of those with partners not previously tested for HIV reported partner HIV testing following PN, associated with being married (aOR 3.4, 95%CI: 1.3-9, p < 0.02) and living with the partner (aOR 4.5, 95%CI: 1.3–15, p < 0.02). Male partner(s) had lower odds of successful HIV testing (aOR 0.4, 95%CI: 0.2–0.9, p = 0.02). Thirty-seven (67%) of those tested were HIV infected.Conclusions: Detection rate of previously undiagnosed HIV infection among clients referred for HIV-testing through PN was high. However, a significant number of partners did not report for HIV testing after 2 months of index clients CTC enrollment. Initiatives to improve PN are needed with special attention towards those who are single, not living with their partners, in a relationship for < 10 years as well as male sexual partners.