de Vos Lindsey, Mdingi Mandisa M M, Gigi Ranjana M S, Gebengu Avuyonke, Peters Remco P H
Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, East London, South Africa.
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
PLoS One. 2025 May 7;20(5):e0323414. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323414. eCollection 2025.
In South Africa, Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence is 14.7% in women and 6.6% in men, while Neisseria gonorrhoeae rates are 6.0% and 3.4%. Partner management, including identifying and screening for STIs, is essential for STI control efforts but challenging due to relationship dynamics, fear of disclosure and stigma. This study aims to understand how adults in the Eastern Cape report partner types when seeking STI care, enhancing partner notification strategies and reducing transmission. From February-August 2023, a cross-sectional evaluation of a Neisseria gonorrhoeae lateral flow assay was conducted among asymptomatic adults aged 18-49 years at four primary healthcare facilities in Buffalo City, Eastern Cape. Participants completed surveys classifying partners into LUSTRUM team's 8 partner types and 5 type-classifications. Data were analyzed using StataSE 17, examining associations between partner types and variables like gender, location, number of sexual partners, and STI test results. A total of 500 men and 400 women (median ages 31 and 32) were recruited. The most reported partner types were main/serious/long-term partners (41%) and girlfriend/boyfriend (29%) or LUSTRUM's 4: established (67%) and occasional partners (28%). Participants reporting main/long-term partners, steady, or boyfriend/girlfriend showed variability in partner numbers. Male adults more commonly reported casual partner types like friends with benefits (21% vs. 9%) and fuck buddy/booty call (9% vs. 3%), with significant associations for super casual/hook-up/meet/one-night stand (p = 0.02). Regional differences in partner types and a significant association between new partners and NG Xpert positivity (p = 0.01) were observed. This study confirms the diverse spectrum of sexual partner types. Findings reveal that men and women may have different relationships, and regional variations suggest context-specific approaches are needed. Identifying partner types can enhance communication and treatment strategies and address significant gaps in partner notification and STI care.
在南非，沙眼衣原体在女性中的患病率为14.7%，在男性中为6.6%，而淋病奈瑟菌的感染率分别为6.0%和3.4%。性传播感染（STI）的控制工作中，伴侣管理（包括识别和筛查性传播感染）至关重要，但由于关系动态、对暴露和污名化的恐惧，这一工作颇具挑战。本研究旨在了解东开普省的成年人在寻求性传播感染治疗时如何报告伴侣类型，以加强伴侣通知策略并减少传播。2023年2月至8月，在东开普省布法罗市的四个初级医疗保健机构，对18至49岁的无症状成年人进行了淋病奈瑟菌侧向流动检测的横断面评估。参与者完成了将伴侣分类为LUSTRUM团队的8种伴侣类型和5种类别分类的调查。使用StataSE 17对数据进行分析，研究伴侣类型与性别、地点、性伴侣数量和性传播感染检测结果等变量之间的关联。共招募了500名男性和400名女性（年龄中位数分别为31岁和32岁）。报告最多的伴侣类型是主要/认真/长期伴侣（41%）和女朋友/男朋友（29%），或LUSTRUM的4种：固定伴侣（67%）和偶尔伴侣（28%）。报告主要/长期伴侣、稳定伴侣或女朋友/男朋友的参与者在伴侣数量上存在差异。成年男性更常报告如炮友（21%对9%）和性伴侣/一夜情对象（9%对3%）等随意的伴侣类型，超级随意/一夜情/约见/一夜情对象有显著关联（p = 0.02）。观察到伴侣类型的区域差异以及新伴侣与淋病奈瑟菌Xpert检测阳性之间的显著关联（p = 0.01）。本研究证实了性伴侣类型的多样性。研究结果表明，男性和女性可能有不同的关系，区域差异表明需要因地制宜的方法。识别伴侣类型可以加强沟通和治疗策略，并填补伴侣通知和性传播感染护理方面的重大空白。
