The role of self-efficacy and relationship quality in partner notification by adolescents with sexually transmitted infections.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of self-efficacy, anticipated negative consequences, and relationship quality in patient-initiated sex partner notification following treatment for sexually transmitted infections.


METHODS
Two hundred forty-one 13- to 20-year-old subjects (83% women; 83% African American) diagnosed with gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas, or nongonococcal urethritis. Subjects were patients at a public sexually transmitted diseases clinic or primary care adolescent clinics.


METHODS
Structured interviews at enrollment and 1 month following treatment. At enrollment, recent sexual partners were identified. Coital frequency, partner-specific sexually transmitted infection notification self-efficacy, anticipated consequences of notification, and relationship quality were measured with multi-item scales. At 1 month, subjects were asked whether partners had been notified and about the timing of notification relative to treatment.


RESULTS
Subjects reported 279 partners. Of these, 61% of women's partners and 52% of men's partners were notified. Multiple logistic regression adjusted by generalized estimating equations showed that notification was predicted by antecedent notification self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.30) and relationship quality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.27). Age, sex, race/ethnicity, prior sexually transmitted infection, coital frequency, and anticipated consequences were not related to partner notification.


CONCLUSIONS
Partner notification is increased among persons with higher levels of self-efficacy and in relationships with stronger affiliative and emotional ties. Self-efficacy and partner communication could be especially amenable to interventions to increase patient-initiated partner notification for curable sexually transmitted infections.
Fortenberry
J Dennis
JD
Section of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA. jfortenb@iupui.edu
Brizendine
Edward J
EJ
Katz
Barry P
BP
Orr
Donald P
DP
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D016358:Contact Tracing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000635:transmission*