RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Knowledge of sex partner treatment for past bacterial STI and risk of current STI
JF Sexually Transmitted Infections
JO Sex Transm Infect
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 271
OP 275
DO 10.1136/sti.2004.012872
VO 81
IS 3
A1 L M Niccolai
A1 J R Ickovics
A1 K Zeller
A1 T S Kershaw
A1 S Milan
A1 J B Lewis
A1 K A Ethier
YR 2005
UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/81/3/271.abstract
AB Objectives: Effective partner management is critical in reducing the spread of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between knowledge of partner treatment for a past STI and current infection in the index patient. Methods: In a cross sectional analysis, 97 adolescent females sampled from community based health clinics reported that they had a past diagnosis of chlamydia or gonorrhoea in structured, face to face interviews. At the time of the interview, adolescents were also tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea using urine based ligase chain reaction testing. Results: 66% of the adolescents reported knowing that their partner was treated for the past infection. Those who knew their partner was treated were less likely to have a current infection, compared to those who did not know (11% v 30%, adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval 4.46 (1.41 to 14.29), p<0.05). Correlates of not knowing the sex partner was treated included younger age and being in new sex partnership. Conclusions: Efforts to encourage young women to follow up directly with their partners regarding treatment may help to reduce repeat infections and further spread. Furthermore, alternative strategies such as patient delivered therapy may help with partner treatment in this vulnerable population.