scholarly journals Intentions to use patient-initiated partner notification and acceptability of provider-initiated partner notification for Sexually Transmitted Infections – A cross-sectional survey among minibus taxi drivers in Gauteng Province, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
mathildah mpata mokgatle ◽  
Sphiwe Madiba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Partner Notification ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Taxi Drivers ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Past

Background In South Africa, utilization of patient-initiated partner-notification (PN) using referral-slip in the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is limited and only a limited number of sexual partners are ever notified. The study assessed the use of patient-initiated PN method using notification and referral slips and measured the level of acceptability of provider-initiated PN using short-message-service (SMS) to personal mobile phones of sexual partners. Methods A quantitative survey using anonymous structured self-administered and researcher assisted questionnaires was conducted among minibus taxi drivers in the nine major taxi ranks in Gauteng province, South Africa. Results The sample consisted of 722 minibus taxi drivers with a mean age of 37.2 years old, 284 (59.5%) had multiple sexual partners, 368 (52.2%) did not use a condom during last sexual act, 286 (42.8%) reported inconsistent use of condoms, and 459 (65%) tested for HIV in the past 12 months. Majority (n=709, 98.2%) understood the importance of PN once diagnosed with STI, but would prefer delivering PN referral slip (n=670, 93.2%) over telling a partner face to face if they themselves were diagnosed with STI. Acceptability of provider-initiated PN using SMS was 452 (62.7%) and associated with history of HIV testing in the past year (OR=1.72, p=0.002, CI: 1.21-2.45). The perceived use of PN referral-slip from sexual partner to seek treatment was 91.8% (n=659). About a third (n=234, 32.5%) were not in favor of provider-initiated PN by SMS and preferred telling partners face to face. Conclusion There were contrasting findings on the acceptability and utilization of existing patient-initiated PN and the proposed PN using SMS from health providers. The preference of delivering PN referral slip to sexual partner over face-to-face PN renders communicating about STIs the responsibility of health providers. Therefore, they have an opportunity to provide patients with options to choose a PN method that is best suited to their relationships and circumstances and modify PN messages to encourage partners to use the different PN to prevent STIs.

scholarly journals A Comparative Analysis of Risky Sexual Behaviors, Self-Reported Sexually Transmitted Infections, Knowledge of Symptoms and Partner Notification Practices among Male and Female University Students in Pretoria, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5660
Author(s):  
Mathildah Mpata Mokgatle ◽  
Sphiwe Madiba ◽  
Lindiwe Cele
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Young People ◽  
University Students ◽  
Partner Notification ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sms Notification

The surge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people is of public health importance, and the notification and treatment of sex partners after the diagnosis of an STI is a public health approach to prevent and reduce further transmissions. There are limited studies that investigate partner notification among young people in general, and university students in South Africa in particular. We investigated self-reported STIs and partner notification practice, intentions, and preferences among university students. We also assessed their STI knowledge and risky sexual behaviour in relation to STIs. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey that used multistage sampling to select 918 students across the five schools of a health sciences university in South Africa. Descriptive statistics and bivariate logistic analysis were performed using Stata IC version 16. More males (54.1%) than females were currently in a sexual relationship (47.3%), more males reported multiple sexual partners (n = 114, 46%), engaged in transactional sex (n = 13, 5.3%), and had one-night stands (n = 68, 28.1%) in the past 12 months (p = 0.001). Moreover, half (55.9%) had poor knowledge of STIs with an overall mean knowledge score of 2.9 ± 2.0, and the majority (85.8%) perceived themselves to be at low risk of acquiring STIs. The odds of intentions to disclose an STI infection to a sexual partner and delivering a partner notification slip to ex-sexual partners were not statistically significant (p = 0.95; p = 0.10), with the likelihood of disclosure being 1.3 times for female students compared to males. Female students were 1.5 times as likely to prefer a doctor to send an SMS notification to their sexual partners (p = 0.02) compared to their male counterparts, while the preference of an SMS notification was 41% (p = 0.03) among female students. Students engaged in risky behaviours but had a low perception of the risks of acquiring STIs. Although they had preferences of different methods of partner notification, both male and female students preferred SMS partner notifications from a doctor, even though women were in the majority. Health care providers should put in place interventions so that young people can safely inform their partners about STIs.

scholarly journals How can we make self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses more inclusive? A qualitative study with people with mild learning disabilities and low health literacy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Middleton ◽  
Maria Pothoulaki ◽  
Melvina Woode Owusu ◽  
Paul Flowers ◽  
Fiona Mapp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Managed Care ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Partner Notification ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
List Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Face To Face

AbstractObjectives1.5 million people in the UK have mild to moderate learning disabilities. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs) are over-represented in people experiencing broader health inequalities, which include those with mild learning disabilities. Self-managed care, including self-sampling for STIs/BBVs, is increasingly commonplace, requiring agency and health literacy. To inform the development of a partner notification trial, we explored barriers and facilitators to correct use of an STI/BBV self-sampling pack amongst people with mild learning disabilities.MethodsUsing purposive and convenience sampling we conducted four interviews and five gender-specific focus groups with 25 people (13 female, 12 male), with mild learning disabilities (July-August 2018) in Scotland. We balanced deductive and inductive thematic analyses of audio-transcripts to explore issues associated with barriers and facilitators to correct use of the pack.ResultsAll participants found at least one element of the pack challenging or impossible but welcomed the opportunity to undertake sexual health screening without attending a clinic and welcomed the inclusion of condoms. Reported barriers to correct use included perceived overly complex STI/BBV information and instructions, feeling overwhelmed, and the manual dexterity required for blood sampling. Many women struggled interpreting anatomical diagrams depicting vulvo-vaginal self-swabbing. Facilitators included pre-existing STI/BBV knowledge, familiarity with self-management, good social support, and knowing that the service afforded privacy.ConclusionIn the first study to explore the usability of self-sampling packs for STI/BBV in people with learning disabilities, participants found it challenging to use the pack. Limiting information to the minimum required to inform decision-making, “easy read” formats, simple language, large font sizes and simpler diagrams could improve acceptability. However, some people will remain unable to engage with self-sampling at all. To avoid widening health inequalities, face-to-face options should continue to be provided for those unable or unwilling to engage with self-managed care.Key messagesPeople with mild learning disabilities found the existing self-sampling pack overly complex; many would not use it and did not feel able to engage with self-managed care at all.Minimum “need to know” information, very simple diagrams, and “easy read” formats specific to the needs of people with mild learning disabilities, could improve acceptability.Adoption of self-sampling and other elements of self-managed care without provision of alternative care models could widen health inequalities.Face-to-face options need to be provided but identifying those with limited health literacy will be challenging.

scholarly journals Risk factors of sexually transmitted infections among migrant and non-migrant sexual partnerships from rural South Africa

2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. ZUMA ◽  
M. N. LURIE ◽  
B. G. WILLIAMS ◽  
D. MKAYA-MWAMBURI ◽  
G. P. GARNETT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Sexual Partnership ◽  
Rural South ◽  
Sexual Partnerships ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Stis And Hiv ◽  
Rural South Africa

In October 1998, cohorts of circular migrant men and their non-migrant sexual partners, and non-migrant men and their non-migrant sexual partners from rural South Africa were recruited and followed-up every 4 months until October 2001. At each visit, information on socio-demographic, sexual behaviour, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV was collected. In total, 553 individuals aged between 18 and 69 years were recruited. A man and his sexual partner(s) form a sexual partnership. Migration status, age, marital status, age at sexual debut, recent sexual partners and HIV status were found to be important determinants of STI. The risk of STI varies (σ2=1·45, P<0·001) significantly across sexual partnerships even after controlling for important determinants. The variance implies substantial correlation (0·59) between members of the same sexual partnership. Ignoring this correlation leads to incorrect inference. Migration contributes significantly to the spread of STIs. Community interventions of HIV/STI should target co-transmitter sexual partnerships rather than high-risk individuals.

Partner notification and treatment for sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (13) ◽  
pp. 1282-1290
Author(s):  
Hunter Green ◽  
Sophia Taleghani ◽  
Dorothy Nyemba ◽  
Landon Myer ◽  
Dvora Joseph Davey
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Partner Notification ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Antenatal Visit ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
Infectious Burden

Curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Partner notification is an important component of STI control as it has been shown to prevent re-infection and reduce infectious burden. Between October 2017 and February 2019, we conducted a cohort study of women attending antenatal care in Cape Town, South Africa. Self-collected vulvovaginal swabs were tested for CT, NG, and TV using Xpert® assays at first antenatal visit, during the third trimester, and postpartum. At the visit following a positive diagnosis, women were asked if they notified their partner and if their partner was treated. Among 242 participants, 97% reported being willing to notify partners if they tested positive and 78% thought their partner would be willing to treat the STI. Of the 73 women who were diagnosed with one or more STIs and reported having a sex partner, 93% reported notifying their partner and 63% reported their partner was treated. Younger maternal age was associated with partner notification and treatment (OR = 3.82; 95%CI = 1.34–10.90). Acceptability of partner notification was high in pregnant women, but partner treatment was low. Future interventions to improve partner notification and treatment are needed.

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