Partner notification in the United States - An evidence-based review

Introduction: To conduct an evidence-based review of the literature on the effectiveness of partner notification strategies for syphilis, gonorrhea, c hlamydia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States. Methods: Systematic literature searches of available databases yielded 212 English language articles on partner notification, 13 of which met the incl usion criteria. These 13 at-tides were systematically reviewed, abstracted, and rated for quality of study methods, analysis, and generalizability. Results: Partner notification carl newly detect HIV and other sexually tran smitted diseases among partners. Of the six high-quality studies, the highe st numbers of infections per infected person, 0.23 and 0.24, were detected by provider referral while the lowest number of infections per infected per son, 0.03, was detected by self referral. None of the 13 studies examined t he consequences of partner notification, such as infections or health conse quences averted or changes in behavior and partnerships for infected person s or their partners. Conclusions: There is good evidence that partner notification is a means of newly detecting infections. In addition, there is fair evidence that provi der referral generally ensures that more partners are notified and medicall y evaluated than does self referral. More research is needed to improve eli citation and notification procedures and tailor them to specific population s, to assess the effect of new testing technologies on partner notification , and to understand the consequences of partner notification for infected p ersons and their partners.