“It is a process” – a qualitative evaluation of provider acceptability of HIV assisted partner services in western Kenya: experiences, challenges, and facilitators

• DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08024-z
• Publication Date: 2022-05-07T15:02:38Z
• Authors: Wenjia Liu; Beatrice M. Wamuti; Mercy Owuor; Harison Lagat; Edward Kariithi; Christopher Obong’o; Mary Mugambi; Monisha Sharma; Rose Bosire; Sarah Masyuko; David A. Katz; Carey Farquhar; Bryan J. Weiner
• Keywords: Contact tracing; Health administration

Assisted partner service (APS) is effective for increasing HIV testing services (HTS) uptake among sexual partners of people diagnosed with rare social harm. The acceptability APS to HTS providers important the quality and effectiveness delivery. Within a larger ongoing implementation science study in western Kenya, we qualitatively evaluated provider APS.From May-June 2020, conducted virtual, semi-structured in-depth interviews 14 recruited from 8 31 health facilities Homa Bay Kisumu counties. Participants were selected using criteria-based purposive sampling maximize variation on patient volume (assessed by number index clients tested HIV) performance elicitation enrollment). Interviews inquired providers' experiences providing including challenges facilitators impact contextual factors. Data analyzed an inductive approach.Overall, found acceptable. It was consistently reported that doing continuous process rather than one-day job, which required building rapport persistent efforts. Benefits efficiency case finding, expanded coverage men, increased status awareness linkage care motivated providers. Provider referral perceived advantageous terms independent contact behalf tracing. Challenges included protecting clients' confidentiality, difficulty obtaining partners' accurate information, logistic barriers tracing, refusal due fear being judged multiple partners, breach stigma. Building clients, communicating patience nonjudgmental attitude assuring confidentiality examples facilitators. Working rural areas bigger facilities, training, supportive supervision, community promoted delivery while low salaries, lack equipment, high workload undermined it.HTS Delivering as key success. Future scale-up could consider encouraging instead other methods improve reduce potential harm clients.