Partner notification for sexually transmitted diseases: An overview of the evidence
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of alternative partner notification strategies for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B. DATA SOURCES: Studies were identified using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCISEARCH and other databases, review of reference lists and personal contact with over 80 international experts. STUDY SELECTION: Studies with at least two comparison groups exposed to different partner notification strategies were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Methodological rigor was assessed, and information regarding study populations, interventions and outcomes was extracted independently by two reviewers. MAIN RESULTS: Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria; five were methodologically strong; seven provided data on the referral process; four provided data on trained interviewers compared with routine care providers; and three provided data on the interview process. CONCLUSIONS: Only limited, broad conclusions regarding the effectiveness of various partner notification approaches could be drawn from these comparative studies. Until newer data become available, practice guidelines must be based to a large extent on other grounds.
Authors
Oxman AD, Scott EA, Sellors JW, Clarke JH, Millson ME, Rasooly I, Frank JW, Naus M, Goldblatt E.
Year
1994
Topics
- Population(s)
- General HIV+ population
- General HIV- population
- Co-infections
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Other
