Acceptance Rate of Index Case Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing and its Associated Factors Among Patients Receiving Anti-retroviral Therapy in a Public Health Facilities in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia

Introduction Index case human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing is a key strategy to identify those most at risk of acquiring HIV, with a high yield of positive cases. Objective To assess the acceptance rate of index case HIV testing and its associated factors among patients receiving anti-retroviral therapy in a public health facility in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2024. Methods A facility-based, retrospective study was conducted from July 1 to 15, 2024. The total sample size was 379, and a simple random sampling technique was used to select clients’ cards. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and then exported to statistical package for social science version 25 statistical software for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to check the association. Finally, significant independent associations were identified with a p-value less than 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Result The acceptance of index case HIV testing among patients on anti-retroviral therapy follow-up was 72.8% with a 95% CI (68.6–77.4). Gender [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.69, 95%CI: 1.46–5.37], place of residence [AOR: 2.35, 95%CI: 1.26–4.39], WHO clinical stage I [AOR: 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01–0.59], WHO clinical stage II [AOR: 0.09, 95%CI: 0.01–0.89], duration on ART [AOR: 2.61, 95%CI: 1.23–5.55], disclosure status [AOR: 5.53, 95%CI: 2.87–10.65], and educational status of the partner [AOR: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.04–0.44] were associated. Conclusion Seven in 10 patients on anti-retroviral therapy follow-up accept index case HIV testing. Gender, place of residence, WHO clinical stage, duration of anti-retroviral therapy, exposure status, and spouse education were associated with HIV testing acceptance. Thus, gender identity, urbanization of the index case location, description of the index case at the WHO clinic level, reporting of cases to household members, and improving spouse education would increase acceptance