Using Assisted Partner Services for HIV Testing and the Treatment of Males and Their Female Sexual Partners: Protocol for an Implementation Science Study.

摘要: Background: Despite the effective scale-up of HIV testing and treatment programs, only 75% people living with (PLWH) globally know their status, this rate is lower among men. This highlights importance implementing linkage interventions a high uptake in population. In cluster randomized controlled trial conducted Kenya between 2013 2015, we found that assisted partner services (APS) for HIV-exposed partners newly diagnosed PLWH safely reached more individuals compared client referral alone. However, data are needed to evaluate APS implementation real-world setting. Objective: study aims effectiveness, acceptability, fidelity, cost when integrated into existing (HTS) Western Kenya. Methods: Our team from University Washington PATH integrating 31 health facilities Kenya. We enrolling females (index clients) who consent receiving APS, male sexual partners, female tested positive. Female index clients positive will be followed up at 6 weeks, months, 12 months postenrollment assess care, antiretroviral therapy initiation, viral load suppression. via in-depth interviews national, county, subcounty-level policy makers responsible HTS. Facility staff providing HTS addition working project team, also interviewed. conduct direct observations facility infrastructure clinical procedures extract county national databases. Results: As March 2020, have recruited 1724 clients, 3201 1585 partners. completed recruitment as well 6-week (2936/2973, 98.75%), 6-month (1596/1641, 97.25%), 12-month (725/797, 90.9%) follow-up visits. Preliminary analyses show scaling identify approximately 12-18 new HIV-positive males every 100 men contacted tested. currently completing remaining incorporating an self-testing component response COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: The results help bridge gap research findings practice provide guidance regarding optimal strategies integration routine service delivery.