Facilitating partner notification through an online messaging service: Let Them Know
Sarah Huffam A B D , Christopher K. Fairley A B , Mark Chung A , Jun Kit Sze A , Jade Bilardi C and Marcus Y. Chen A BA Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, 580 Swanston St, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
B School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3054, Australia.
C Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3054, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: shuffam@mshc.org.au
Sexual Health 10(4) 377-379 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH13007
Submitted: 11 January 2013 Accepted: 16 March 2013 Published: 8 May 2013
Abstract
Let Them Know (www.letthemknow.org.au) is an Australian internet based service designed to support individuals diagnosed with an STI to notify sexual partners using anonymous or personal text messages. A review of user activity and acceptability of the website was performed. Between 17 March 2010 and 31 March 2011, of 13 024 website visits, 4863 (37%) visits resulted in a text message being sent. From 3 December 2010, of 1383 consecutive users, 963 (70%) indicated they were more likely to contact a partner because of the website. A short period of misuse was identified and controlled, and additional measures to monitor for and prevent misuse were subsequently implemented. Web-based notification systems such as the Let Them Know website can help to facilitate partner notification for individuals who may be reluctant to do this in person.
Additional keywords: contact tracing, genital tract infection, information technology, partner notification, sexual health.
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