Enhanced Patient-Based Referral for Sexually Transmitted Infection Notification

The Enhanced Patient-Based Referral for Sexually Transmitted Infection Notification intervention program encourages patients with Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis to notify sexual partners of their diagnosis. The intervention consisted of 2 sessions. The first of these sessions occurs in the clinic at the time of STI diagnosis. Activities to support behavior change include one-on-one counseling that involves discussion of STI risk behaviors, identification of eligible sexual partners for notification, development of a sexual partner notification plan, role-playing exercises, and completion of a signed behavioral contract to notify sexual partners according to the notification plan. The second session takes place by phone or in person at a target of 4 weeks from the initial session and includes a review of progress and discussion of any remaining barriers to completion of the notification process.

The goal of this intervention is to promote patient referral among patients with a recent STI diagnosis.

Program participants were more likely to report sexual partner notification at 1 month and were more likely to report no unprotected sexual intercourse at 6 months.

Program participants were more likely to report sexual partner notification at 1 month and were more likely to report no unprotected sexual intercourse at 6 months . Gonorrhea or chlamydial infection was detected in 6% of intervention and 11% of control participants at follow-up, with greatest benefits seen among men.