Predictors of partner notification for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae: an examination of social cognitive and psychological factors.
Efforts to control chlamydial and gonococcal infections include notifying eligible sexual partners of possible infection, primarily by asking the diagnosed patient to notify their partners. This approach, known as patient referral, is widely used but poorly understood. The current study examined psychosocial and cognitive factors associated with patient referral among an urban, minority sample of 168 participants recently diagnosed with Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. At a follow-up interview 1-month from diagnosis, participants were more likely to have notified all eligible partners if they had greater intention to notify at baseline (OR = 3.72; 95% CI = 1.34, 10.30) and if they had only one partner at baseline (OR = 4.08; 95% CI = 1.61, 10.31). There were also gender differences as well as differences based on type of partner (i.e., regular, casual, one-time). The implications of these findings for the design of programs to promote patient referral for sexually transmitted infections are discussed.
Schwartz
Rebecca M
RM
Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Box 1240, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA. Rebecca.Schwartz@downstate.edu
Malka
Edmond S
ES
Augenbraun
Michael
M
Rubin
Steven
S
Hogben
Matthew
M
Liddon
Nicole
N
McCormack
William M
WM
Wilson
Tracey E
TE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D016358:Contact Tracing; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D014505:Urban Population