Evaluation of a population-based program of expedited partner therapy for gonorrhea and chlamydial infection.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a partner notification program for gonorrhea and chlamydial infection that involves communitywide access to free patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) and use of case-report forms to triage patients to receive partner notification assistance.


METHODS
We evaluated program components in randomly selected cases and compared outcomes before and after program institution.


RESULTS
Following institution of the program, the percentage of cases who received PDPT from their diagnosing clinician increased from 5.6% to 16% (adjusted OR 3.2, 2.5-4.1). Among randomly selected cases, those referred to the health department via the case-report form were significantly more likely than nonreferred cases to have untreated sex partners (76% vs. 35%, OR 6.0, 95% CI 4.5-8.0), to accept PDPT from the health department (36% vs. 14%, 3.3, 95% CI 2.4-4.7), and to request that health department staff notify a partner for them (11% vs. 3%, OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.8-6.7). The percentage of cases classified as having all of their partners treated increased from 39% to 65% concurrent with institution of the program.


CONCLUSIONS
A public health program that promotes routine use of PDPT and referral of selected patients for partner notification assistance appears to have improved partner notification outcomes.
Golden
Matthew R
MR
Public Health-Seattle and King County, Seattle, Washington, USA. golden@u.washington.edu
Hughes
James P
JP
Brewer
Devon D
DD
Holmes
King K
KK
Whittington
William L H
WL
Hogben
Matthew
M
Malinski
Cheryl
C
Golding
Anne
A
Handsfield
H Hunter
HH
D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016358:Contact Tracing; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology