Authors: 

Oscar Ernest Rwabiyago, Allen Katale, Trista Bingham, Jonathan M Grund, Ona Machangu, Amy Medley, Zeye M Nkomela, Alick Kayange, Galal Naphtal King’ori, James McOllogi Juma, Abbas Ismail, Upendo Kategile, Eniko Akom, Neema Tabian Mlole, Nicolas Schaad, Werner Maokola, Nyagonde Nyagonde, Daniel Magesa, Jaiving C Kazitanga, Haruka Maruyama, Florence Temu, Sajida Kimambo, David Sando, Redempta Mbatia, Sally Talike Chalamila, Bernard Ediedu Ogwang, Marina Alois Njelekela, Kokuhumbya Kazaura, Vincent J Wong, Ramadhani Gongo, Prosper Faustine Njau, Andrea Mbunda, Joseph Nondi, Moses Bateganya, Jessica Greene, Mark Breda, George Mgomella, Anath Rwebembera, Mahesh Swaminathan 

Abstract:

Social network strategy (SNS) testing uses network connections to refer individuals at high risk to HIV testing services (HTS). In Tanzania, SNS testing is offered in communities and health facilities. In communities, SNS testing targets key and vulnerable populations (KVP), while in health facilities it complements index testing by reaching unelicited index contacts. Routine data were used to assess performance and trends over time in PEPFAR-supported sites between October 2021 and March 2023. Key indicators included SNS social contacts tested, and new HIV-positives individuals identified. Descriptive and statistical analysis were conducted. Univariable and multivariable analysis were applied, and variables with P-values <0.2 at univariable analysis were considered for multivariable analysis. Overall, 121,739 SNS contacts were tested, and 7731 (6.4%) previously undiagnosed individuals living with HIV were identified. Tested contacts and identified HIV-positives were mostly aged ≥15 years (>99.7%) and females (80.6% of tests, 79.4% of HIV-positives). Most SNS contacts were tested (78,363; 64.7%) and diagnosed (6376; 82.5%) in communities. SNS tests and HIV-positives grew 11.5 and 6.1-fold respectively, from October-December 2021 to January-March 2023, with majority of clients reached in communities vs. facilities (78,763 vs. 42,976). These results indicate that SNS testing is a promising HIV case-finding approach in Tanzania.