Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Despite a 1. Limited activities on testing partners of HIV patients could be contributory to this substantial unawareness of HIV status. Of the clients tested for HIV, The median age was 31 IQR 24β42 years and While HIV test was positive in Of the 17 0. With high HIV prevalence and low partner testing, activities on partner testing are needed to improve the response to the epidemic.
Despite the remarkable global success in reducing its associated morbidity and mortality [ 1 ], HIV remains a public health concern in Sierra Leone. Even though the reported country-wide adult HIV prevalence is 1. Studies on HIV prevalence in healthcare settings are limited in the country. One health facility-based study reported an HIV prevalence of 8. Although described as a heterogeneous epidemic with a dominant heterosexual transmission [ 4 ], the focus of HIV prevention and testing interventions in Sierra Leone is on key populations men who have sex with men, female sex workers, etc.
To achieve this, PLHIV must first be tested [ 6 ], emphasizing the importance of developing innovative testing approaches and strengthening existing HIV testing and prevention services [ 7 ]. HIV testing is needed to cascade treatment, care, and support services for positive patients, and strengthen prevention services [ 8 ]. HIV testing through voluntary assisted partner notification is one of the novel approaches recommended by the World Health Organization WHO with the aim to improve access to partner testing [ 8 ].
Several studies enumerate the benefits of partner testing. Apart from expanding the diagnosis of HIV and increasing access to prevention, care and treatment services, partner testing improves adherence and retention in treatment, and where serodiscordant, help to prioritize effective prevention services, immediate ART commencement and adherence, as well as pre-exposure prophylaxis for seronegative partners [ 9 β 11 ].
Despite the recommendations and multiple evidence on new approaches to partner and couple testing, its practice has not been widely implemented and incorporated into HIV intervention programmes, although some African countries are employing the traditional passive partner notification approach where individuals testing positive for HIV are encouraged to bring their partners for testing [ 7 ].
