An observational study of the acceptability of patient-delivered partner therapy for management of chlamydia
Shannon C. Woodward A , Hayley A. Tyson
A B C and Sarah J. Martin A B
A Canberra Sexual Health Centre, PO Box 11, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia.
B Medical School, Australian National University, Building 4, The Canberra Hospital, Yamba Drive, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: alexandra.tyson@act.gov.au
Sexual Health 17(4) 381-383 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH20094
Submitted: 29 May 2020 Accepted: 26 June 2020 Published: 26 August 2020
Abstract
Partners of heterosexual cases with chlamydia, who were identified as having difficulty in attending the clinic, were offered patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT). Medication was delivered by the index case after telephone consultation with the partner to assess symptoms and medical history. The opportunity for testing of partners for chlamydia was provided. The PDPT process was evaluated by standardised phone interview with index patients and partners. Telephone consultation enables safe medication prescribing and an opportunity for further contact tracing. Partners were unlikely to seek testing when provided with PDPT. Delivery of medication resulted in a reported rate of treatment of 100%. PDPT was an acceptable treatment option to both index and partner and should be considered if legislation permits.
Additional keywords: contact tracing, self-treatment.
References
[1] Kirby Institute. HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections in Australia: annual surveillance report 2018. Sydney: Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney; 2018. Available online at: https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/kirby/report/KI_Annual-Surveillance-Report-2018.pdf [verified 31 January 2020].[2] Peipert JF. Genital chlamydial infections. N Engl J Med 2003; 349 2424–30.
| 14681509PubMed |
[3] Australasian Sexual Health Alliance (ASHA). Australian STI management guidelines for use in primary care – chlamydia. Sydney: Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine; 2018. Available online at: http://www.sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/chlamydia#contact-tracing [verified 31 January 2020].
[4] Lorch R, Bourne C, Burton L, Lewis L, Brown K, Bateson D, et al ADOPTing a new method of partner management for genital chlamydia in New South Wales: findings from a pilot implementation program of patient-delivered partner therapy. Sex Health 2019; 16 332–9.
| ADOPTing a new method of partner management for genital chlamydia in New South Wales: findings from a pilot implementation program of patient-delivered partner therapy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31122336PubMed |
[5] Pavlin NL, Parker RM, Piggin AK, Hopkins CA, Temple-Smith MJ, Fairley CK, et al Better than nothing? Patient-delivered partner therapy and partner notification for chlamydia: the views of Australian general practitioners. BMC Infect Dis 2010; 10 274
| Better than nothing? Patient-delivered partner therapy and partner notification for chlamydia: the views of Australian general practitioners.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20849663PubMed |
[6] Wood H, Hall C, Ioppolo E, Ioppolo R, Scacchia E, Clifford R, et al Barriers and facilitators of partner treatment of chlamydia: a qualitative investigation with prescribers and community pharmacists. Pharmacy (Basel) 2018; 6 17
| Barriers and facilitators of partner treatment of chlamydia: a qualitative investigation with prescribers and community pharmacists.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[7] Schillinger JA, Gorwitz R, Rietmeijer C, Golden MR. The expedited partner therapy continuum. Sex Transm Dis 2016; 43 S63–75.
| The expedited partner therapy continuum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26771402PubMed |
[8] Estcourt C, Sutcliffe L, Cassell J, Mercer CH, Copas A, James L, et al Can we improve partner notification rates through expedited partner therapy in the UK? Findings from an exploratory trial of Accelerated Partner Therapy (APT) Sex Transm Infect 2012; 88 21–6.
| Can we improve partner notification rates through expedited partner therapy in the UK? Findings from an exploratory trial of Accelerated Partner Therapy (APT)Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21795290PubMed |
