AEGiS-09IAC: Evaluation of a partner notification system for sexually transmitted disease control.

9th International AIDS Conference

Berlin, Germany — June 6-11, 1993

Evaluation of a partner notification system for sexually transmitted disease control.

Int Conf AIDS 1993 Jun 6-11; 9:132 (abstract no. WS-D29-3)
Namssenmo A, Simone F, Lansky A, Moran J, Stern R, Somse P; Bambari Regional Hospital, Central African Republic.

Partner notification is one of the few practical means for identifying and treating persons with asymptomatic STD in areas where screening tests are unavailable. Early diagnosis and treatment of STD can be an effective means of reducing HIV transmission.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a partner referral system in a newly established STD clinic in a Central African town.

METHODS: Patients (Pts) diagnosed with STD (Index Pts) were treated and offered treatment vouchers for them to give to their recent partners. The vouchers had the Index pt's identification number and date of visit. Pts presenting with vouchers were treated for the STD diagnosed in the index Pt. Data were abstracted from the clinical records and a sample of Pts were interviewed as they left the clinic. Pts were asked about vouchers received and what they intended to do with them. Pts who presented with vouchers were asked how their partner had presented it.

RESULTS: 485 of the 896 female Pts accepted a total of 523 vouchers and 520 of 844 male Pts accepted 760 vouchers. Of vouchers given to women, 38% were returned; 29% of vouchers given to men were returned. Most (42%) of the 382 Pts presenting with vouchers were asymptomatic. Of the 160 asymptomatic Pts, 35 were tested for gonorrhea by Gram stain and 19 (54%) were found to be positive; 151 were tested with a serologic test for syphilis and 24 (14%) had a positive reaction. Advice about the vouchers and the importance of partner treatment was well received. There were concerns about accusations between partners regarding transmission, but the process of giving a voucher to a partner was relatively simple. Some Pts refused vouchers because they could not or would not get in touch with their partners.

CONCLUSIONS: The voucher system is acceptable to Pts and is an effective means of locating and bringing to treatment persons at high risk of asymptomatic STD.

Keywords: AEGIS, Contact Tracing, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Evaluation Studies, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Referral and Consultation, HIV-1, HIV, Human, Female, Male, nursing, prevention & control, transmission, ICA9
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