Ad. Oxman et al., PARTNER NOTIFICATION FOR SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES - AN OVERVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE, Canadian journal of public health, 85, 1994, pp. 190000041-190000047
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of alternative partner notific
ation strategies for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis
B. Data sources: Studies were identified using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCISE
ARCH and other databases, review of reference lists and personal conta
ct with over 80 international experts. Study selection: Studies with a
t least two comparison groups exposed to different partner notificatio
n strategies were included, Data extraction: Methodological rigor was
assessed, and information regarding study populations, interventions a
nd outcomes was extracted independently by two reviewers. Main results
: Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria; five were methodologicall
y strong; seven provided data on the referral process; four provided d
ata on trained interviewers compared with routine care providers; and
three provided data on the interview process. Conclusions: Only limite
d, broad conclusions regarding the effectiveness of various partner no
tification approaches could be drawn from these comparative studies. U
ntil newer data become available, practice guidelines must be based to
a large extent on other grounds.