Table 3 Facilitators proposed by participants to support the implementation of VAPN services in terms of ethical implementation and yield, respectively (n = 15)

Ethical Implementation

Involving stakeholders to promote VAPN

“I think, working with the multi-sectoral partners would also help… So, working with the faith community to enhance partner notification gives you the opportunity to faith leaders to also help address some of the adverse issues that will come about as a result of disclosing or as a result of encouraging one's partner to go for the testing.” (national-Malawi, male, participant 12)

Integrating HIV stigma reduction programs into VAPN services

“…by providing programs like VAPN alongside proven anti- or de-stigmatization work would be extremely beneficial… So, I think these sorts of things will be able to provide a more supportive environment for VAPN to happen and to prevent potential negative consequences.” (global, male, participant 7)

Conducting independent research to inform evidence-based policy

“I do think that, an independent kind of more scientific approach to operation research and evidence-based policy I think is desperately needed. We have to get out of this monopoly of funding partners to deliver good results.” (national-Malawi, male, participant 9)

Yield of VAPN

Investing in data infrastructure & simplifying monitoring and evaluation systems

“… if there would be a way of identifying the already approached index clients from the HTS [health testing services] to be identified at the ART clinic so that we don’t repeat or we don’t waste time with those already identified at HTS.” (community-Malawi, male, participant 2)

Adapting globally set VAPN targets

“I think this issue around targets probably is the most pressing and the targets that are set right now by PEPFAR are driving the agenda, and that probably needs to change.” (global, female, participant 4)

Enhancing & scaling up family HIV contract tracing services

“… just to elaborate a little bit on the family [contact tracing] approach. I think it’s quite important because it also takes children into account, and but it looks at an individual more holistically…” (national-South Africa, male, participant 10)

Displaying successes of VAPN to HCWs

“… because the feedback loop is generally missing, it’s for me a clear facilitator… But if you can show [ground staff] look, this, this person came because of that [VAPN service] and wouldn't have come [to the health facility] otherwise and look he's on treatment now, she's on treatment now, [it] is a very valuable facilitator.” (national- South Africa, male, participant 10)