Index Testing

STEPS FOR INDEX TESTING

 Learning Objectives (1)
By the end of this session participants should be
able to :
 List the steps for providing index testing
services
 Explain steps for providing index testing
services

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 8 Steps in providing Index
Testing Services

1: Introduce index testing during pre - test

session
2: Obtain Consent from the Index Client to
Proceed with Index Testing services
3: Contact elicitation
4: Conduct IPV screening for each named
partner

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Steps …cont’
5: Determine preferred method of partner
notification
6: Contact all named partners
7: Record outcomes of partner notification and
family testing
8: Provide appropriate services for children
and partner(s) based on HIV, Hep B and
Syphilis status

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Steps 1:Introduce index testing
during pre - test session
 Index testing services should be integrated in
HIV, Hep B and Syphilis risk assessment
 Client needs to be informed that all clients
that test HIV, Hep B and Syphilis positive are
asked to elicit sexual contacts and children
below 13 years so that they be offered
voluntary testing
Step 2: Obtain Consent from the
Index Client to Proceed with
Index Testing services
 Consent MUST be obtained prior to the
elicitation interview and before contacting
partners
Step 3:Contact elicitation

 Elicitation of contacts to be done during risk

assessment
 Eligible contacts include:
 sexual partners (spouse, stable & casual
sexual partners)
 biological children <13 years old
 Good questioning skills required
Step 4: Conduct IPV screening
for each named partner (1)
Intimate partner violence (IPV) Screening
Many clients facing violence will not disclose and
providers should actively screen for IPV
 Screen all index clients accepting Index
Testing modes for IPV
 IPV screening to be done for each elicited
sexual partner
 Clients should be asked about their
experience or fear of violence for each named
partner
Step 4: Conduct IPV screening
for each named partner (2)
W.H.O recommended IPV screening questions
include:
 Has [partner’s name] ever hit, kicked,
slapped, or otherwise physically hurt you?
 Has [partner’s name] ever threatened to hurt
you?
 Has [partner’s name] ever forced you to do
something sexually that made you feel
uncomfortable?
Step 4: Conduct IPV screening
for each named partner (3)
Additional Questions on IPV Screening
Has [partner’s name] ever done any of these things
to you:
 Insulted, humiliated, or made fun of you in front of
others?
 Kept you from having your own money?
 Tried to keep you from seeing or talking to your
family or friends?
 Kept track of you by demanding to know where
you were and what you were doing? 10
Step 4: Conduct IPV screening
for each named partner (4)
 Profile sexual contacts to understand:
 Who are they
 Where they stay, work, hangout;
 how do they react to strange phone calls and
bad news;
 when are they free and available; what makes
them happy
 Based on the sexual contacts profile, provider
will either call or make a visit at home, place of
work or entertainment joint
Step 5: Determine preferred method
of partner notification
 Involve the index client in determining the
method of notification
 Support client to choose a method based on
IPV assessment
 Collect detailed locator information to support
client tracing
 Reassure client of confidentiality
 Reach out to client either physically or through
phone
 Record outcomes
Step 6: Contact all named
partners

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Step 7: Record outcomes of
partner notification and family
testing

 Ensure that documentation is complete in

both Index testing Register A for Index Clients
and B for contacts
 Complete Syphilis (STI) and Hep B
documentation
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Step 8: Provide appropriate
services for children and
partner(s) based on HIV, Hep B
and Syphilis status
 Ensure linkage to appropriate treatment and
prevention services
 Consider linkage to Gender Based Violence
services where appropriate

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Track Reasons Why Clients
Decline Index Testing Services for
Quality Improvement (1)
 No time for elicitation interview
 Do not believe services are
confidential/afraid partner will learn my
identity
 Afraid of intimate partner
violence/abandonment by partner
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 Key Points

 There are 8 Steps in providing Index Testing

Services
 Index testing services must adhere to Principles
of index testing