Outcome of HIV Testing Among Family Members of Index Cases Across 36 Facilities in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

In Cote d'Ivoire, the Family Approach to Counseling and Testing (FACT) program began in 2015 and provides facility-based HIV testing to the sexual partners, children and other household family members of HIV-positive index cases. We evaluated whether the FACT program is an effective approach to HIV case finding. We reviewed 1762 index patient charts to evaluate outcomes of the FACT program, held across 36 facilities in Abidjan. Index cases enumerated a total of 644 partners, 2301 children and 508 other family members including parents and siblings. Among the partners tested for HIV, the positivity rate was 21%; for children the positivity rate was 5% and for all other family members the positivity rate was 11%. Offering HIV testing services to the family members of HIV positive index cases is an effective approach to case finding in Cote d'Ivoire. Particularly, offering HIV testing to the partners of positive women index cases can be key to identifying previously undiagnosed men and linking them to treatment.

Automated summary

The Family Approach to Counseling and Testing (FACT) program in Cote d'Ivoire, which provides HIV testing to the family members of HIV-positive index cases, has proven to be an effective approach to case finding. The program showed positivity rates of 21% among partners, 5% among children, and 11% among other family members. Offering HIV testing to partners of positive women index cases can be key to identifying undiagnosed men and linking them to treatment.