Knowledge of sex partner treatment for past bacterial STI and risk of current STI.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Niccolai
L M
LM
Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, 60 College Street, PO Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA. linda.niccolai@yale.edu
Ickovics
J R
JR
Zeller
K
K
Kershaw
T S
TS
Milan
S
S
Lewis
J B
JB
Ethier
K A
KA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners