Factors associated with timely HIV testing of sexual partners identified through partner services in lower eastern Kenya, 2023–2024

Partner Services (PS) is a key strategy for closing HIV case identification gaps by facilitating testing among sexual partners of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Timely testing is essential for early diagnosis, prompt linkage to care, and interruption of HIV transmission, yet evidence on factors influencing timely partner testing in resource-limited settings is limited. We analyzed routinely collected data from 2,210 index clients between January 2023 and December 2024. we defined timely testing as HIV testing within 14 days of partner elicitation, and examined associated factors using generalized linear mixed models. Females comprised 63% of index clients while males accounted for 58% Provider referral was the most common notification approach (63%), whereas contract referral was least used (8%). Compared with other approaches, dual referrals (aOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.34-3.66) and provider referrals (aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.13-2.76) were significantly associated with timely testing. Timely testing was also more likely among index clients over 50 years, those who were unemployed or self-employed, and those identified through social network strategy. Conversely, partners of single index clients, and those linked to secondary index clients were less likely to test within 14 days. Among the sexual partners, formal employment, and HIV positive results were associated with timely testing. These findings suggest that PS delivery approaches and client characteristics influence timely partner testing and strengthening provider and dual referrals while targeting younger, single, and secondary index partners could improve timely identification of PLHIV.