This milestone means that as country we are not far from achieving the UNAIDS’ fast track targets of 95-95-95 before 2030.
However, we still have to continue to find PLHIV who do not know their status and who do not easily present to health facilities or community HIV testing services (HTS). Today’s discussion focuses on partner notification or index testing, a progressive service provided in Botswana to find PLHIV who do not know their HIV status.
Index testing is an approach in which sexual or needle sharing partners and biological children of HIV-positive individuals are identified/elicited, offered HTS, then consenting ones are provided HTS. This means if you are a person living with HIV provided services in any our health facilities or at community health centres you will be offered the opportunity to have your sexual partners and biological children provided HIV testing. This is called partner notification of index testing. Index testing is critical for the following reasons:
• Sexual partners and biological children of the HIV positive individual /PLHIV may also be HIV positive, but do not know.
• It enables such contacts to also know their HIV status and seek medical attention early. It has been proven through research studies that positivity rates are higher amongst clients tested through index testing. Outcomes of a study on index testing services amongst a population of children below 15 years and adults aged 20 years and above by Population Services International (PSI) in Lesotho found a positivity rate of 17.6% amongst adults aged 20 years and above. Index testing therefore remains the most effective approach to identify HIV positive individuals who do not know their status and refer them to antiretroviral treatment (ART). As the month of Youth Against AIDS (March) approaches we encourage everyone but mostly youth to seek partner notification services.
Are you a person living with HIV and require HIV testing for your partner or biological children? Or do you know someone who needs the services? Call BOCAIP to book services which will be provided at a location of your choice on the following mobile numbers Gaborone: 71745232, Kgatleng: Mochudi:71745248, SE: Ramotswa:71745284, Kanye: 72677822, Tsabong: 71542896, Francistown: 71622434, Masunga: 71561776
*BoitumelO Morapedi is technical director, BOCAIP
