Attitudes of WA GPs to chlamydia partner notification - A survey.
BACKGROUND
Partner notification is essential to interrupt transmission of sexually transmissible infections. We surveyed the attitudes to partner notification of general practitioners seeing 1-5 cases of chlamydia annually.


METHODS
We collected data on chlamydia notifications received in Western Australia from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008. Treating GPs were identified and 200 were randomly selected.


RESULTS
One hundred and five (53%) GPs responded. They believed automatic partner notification by the Department of Health occurred following notification (45%) or by ticking the box on the notification form (88%). Ninety-seven percent of GPs encouraged partner notification; 55% ensured it occurred. Printable resources were favoured by 90%, but use of web based resources was low. Practice nurses were seldom involved in partner notification.


CONCLUSIONS
Although GPs believed that partner notification was important, follow up was infrequent. They believed (erroneously) that the Department of Health would routinely undertake partner notification. Printable resources for partner notification would be welcomed.
Bangor-Jones
Revle D
RD
Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Health Department of Western Australia. revle.bangor-jones@health.wa.gov.au
McCloskey
Jenny
J
Crooks AM
Levinia
L
Bastian
Lisa A
LA
Mak
Donna B
DB
Dykstra
Christine
C
Marshall
Lewis J
LJ
Achitei
Simona R
SR
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D018563:Disease Notification; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology