Knowledge of sex partner treatment for past bacterial STI and risk of current STI

• Published in: Sexually transmitted infections Vol. 81; no. 3; pp. 271 - 275
• Main Authors: Niccolai, L M, Ickovics, J R, Zeller, K, Kershaw, T S, Milan, S, Lewis, J B, Ethier, K A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.06.2005; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Bacteria; Behaviour; Biological and medical sciences; Chlamydia; Chlamydia Infections - diagnosis; Chlamydia Infections - psychology; Chlamydia Infections - therapy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug use; Female; General aspects; Gonorrhea; Gonorrhea - diagnosis; Gonorrhea - psychology; Gonorrhea - therapy; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models; Humans; Infections; Infectious diseases; Knowledge; Laboratories; LCR; ligase chain reaction; Medical sciences; Odds Ratio; partner treatment; Patients; Public health; Recurrence; Risk Factors; sex partner; Sexual Partners; Sexually transmitted diseases; sexually transmitted infections; STD; STI; Teenagers; Infection; Human; Sexually transmitted disease; Treatment; Risk factor; Bacteriosis; Sex partner; Risk; Knowledge
• ISSN: 1368-4973; 1472-3263
• DOI: 10.1136/sti.2004.012872

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.