Previous Sexually Transmitted Infections and Partner Services Interviews as Predictors of Subsequent Interview Completion Among Cisgender MSM: Partner Services Fatigue?

Abstract

Background Anecdotal reports suggest that partner services (PS) are less successful among people with repeat sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses and/or previous PS interactions. We examine whether having repeated STI diagnoses and/or PS interactions is associated with PS outcomes among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods With STI surveillance and PS data for MSM diagnosed with gonorrhea, chlamydia, and/or syphilis from 2007 to 2018, in King County, WA, we used Poisson regression models to examine the relationships between PS outcomes (e.g., completing a PS interview and providing identifying information for a contact) with (1) number of previous STI case episodes and (2) number of previous PS interviews completed. Results Of the 18,501 MSM STI case patients initiated for interview in the analytic period (2011–2018), 13,232 (72%) completed a PS interview, and 8,030 (43%) had at least 1 prior PS interview. The proportion of initiated cases successfully interviewed declined from 71% among those with no previous PS interview to 66% among those with ≥3 prior interviews. Similarly, the proportion of interviews with ≥1 partner identified declined with greater numbers of previous PS interviews (from 46% [0 interviews] to 35% [≥3 interviews]). In multivariate models, having ≥1 prior PS interview was negatively associated with completing a subsequent interview and providing partner locating information. Conclusions Having a history of STI PS interviews is associated with less PS engagement among MSM. New approaches to PS should be explored to address the growing epidemic of STIs among MSM.