Effects of Contact Precautions Video Media on Knowledge and Practices Among Caregivers, Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai

Abstract

              This research aims to investigate: 1) the rate of HIV testing acceptance by partners through counseling services, 2) the diagnosis results of the HIV infection status of partners, and 3) the factors related to encouraging HIV-infected individuals to invite their partners for HIV testing.                 The research adopts a retrospective observational study design. The population under study consists of HIV-infected individuals who received counseling services at the Health Counseling Clinic of Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, starting from the initiation of counseling services to invite the partners of HIV-infected individuals for HIV testing. The study period is from 15 November 2020 to 31 March 2023. The sample group comprises all HIV-infected individuals who decided to invite their partners for HIV testing through targeted methods, totaling 164 individuals.

                 The research findings indicate that out of the 164 HIV-infected individuals who decided to invite their partners for testing, 137 individuals (83.5%) successfully invited their partners through counseling services. The majority were males (48.8%), aged between 35-54 years (45.1%). The primary target group consisted of heterosexual couples (58.5%), followed by MSM (18.3%). The most common method used by HIV-infected individuals to invite their partners was client referral (89.0%). The diagnosis results revealed an 8.8% HIV-positive rate among tested partners. Factors associated with successfully inviting partners for testing included the target group, with statistical significance at a p-value equal to 0.001.

Recommendations from this research suggest that all HIV-infected individuals, regardless of gender and age, should be offered services to invite their partners for HIV testing. Training should be provided to enhance skills and confidence in inviting partners, especially for male-male couples, to allows partners to be aware of their HIV status, enhancing prevention efforts in avoiding transmission. Consideration should be tailored to the context of each HIV-infected individual.