Partner notification for sexually transmitted diseases: an overview of the evidence.

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.