Partner notification for sexually transmitted diseases in Peru: knowledge, attitudes, and practices in a high-risk community.
OBJECTIVE
Notification and treatment of sex partners after diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) is essential to reduce reinfection and further transmission.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of partner notification and subsequent health-seeking behavior in a high-risk population in Lima, Peru.


METHODS
STD-infected participants of an HIV/STD prevention trial completed a questionnaire concerning partner notification.


RESULTS
Of the 502 STD-positive subjects, 287 completed the survey. Among survey participants, 65% informed their primary partner and 10.5% informed casual or anonymous partners. Reasons for failure to notify varied by partner type and included not understanding the importance of partner notification, embarrassment, fear of rejection, and inability to locate the partner. When notified, approximately one third of all partners sought medical attention.


CONCLUSIONS
Partner notification in Peru is limited by relationship dynamics, social stigma, and limited contact information. Interventions could emphasize the importance of notification, improvement of communication skills, and introduce contact tracing programs (including Internet-based systems) and expedited partner therapy.
Clark
Jesse L
JL
University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. jlclark@mednet.ucla.edu
Long
Corey M
CM
Giron
Jessica M
JM
Cuadros
Julio A
JA
Caceres
Carlos F
CF
Coates
Thomas J
TJ
Klausner
Jeffrey D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016358:Contact Tracing; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires