Partner Identification versus Identified Partner Testing

[andsv2]

As detailed here, under Discussion, if the partner lookback period is too high, MSM identified through partner elicitation are more likely to have had a recent test than if the lookback period was shorter. This is because eligibility for testing is tied up in partner identification, when - logically - the two should be separate: individuals are identified regardless of testing status of the identified partner; it is only in hivtest_msm that an individuals testing elig. should be evaluated. However, because this eligibility depends on partnership type, this is calculated at the same time when calculations are done using the temporary parntership list.

This has the effect of dampening total partners identified and partners tested, when it should in fact dampen only partners tested.

[andsv2]

Solution 1: Base testing eligibility on the maximum of lookback period.

Solution 2: Leave workflow as is, noting that this is really only an issue for those identified individuals who are in partnerships with multiple HIV+ incident MSM.

[smjenness]

@andsv2 : thanks for raising this issue. Let's keep the issue open for now, to reconsider this issue for the paper. But for now, let's use a parameter for no restriction based on recent partner tests. So if the partner lookback period is 3 months, all partners should be included, even if some of them were recently tested. I think that would avoid this issue for now, yes?

[andsv2]

SMJ Weekly Meeting: Remove restriction that person has been diagnosed within partner lookback window; no discarding of this individual for testing purposes.

[andsv2]

@smjenness EpiModelHIV-p updated and passing testing and validation checks. Noticeable increase in partner identified as expected:

195 1.655914 1.492462 1.815217 2.087719 2.312500
196 1.703297 1.457286 1.757732 2.118343 2.218543
197 1.690608 1.515789 1.777202 2.102410 2.340278
198 1.698413 1.510638 1.756477 2.064706 2.347222
199 1.651282 1.486772 1.776042 2.173653 2.337838
200 1.644670 1.521053 1.858696 2.294479 2.175000

Table above is percent increase in identified partner tracking: no testing restriction (new model) over testing restriction based on lookback period (old model).

Wiki page also being updated with new graphics.

[smjenness]

Can be close - link to commit with changes

[andsv2]

Removed testing restriction from partident_msm module. Now partners are identified regardless of testing status. Closing with commit.