Patient initiated partner treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the Netherlands: views of patients with and partners notified for Chlamydia

Abstract

Patient-initiated partner therapy (PIPT) for Chlamydia is not practiced in the Netherlands. We aimed to explore PIPT-willingness in patients infected with Chlamydia and persons notified for Chlamydia (partners) at sexual health clinics (SHCs) and general practitioners’ offices. We performed interviews among 20 heterosexual patients and 21 partners regarding real or hypothetical situations. The interviews were taped, transcribed verbatim and coded using ATLAS.ti7 software for qualitative research. Despite challenges in notifying partners in some cultural groups and some partner types, most patients and partners would cooperate with PIPT. Perceived barriers included unnecessary treatment, risking untreated other sexually transmitted infections and breaking the notification chain. Most patients and partners opted for home-based test-kits before treatment. Partners desired proper packaging of the test and the medication, along with an information insert, a supportive letter from the SHC, information on the internet and the possibility to contact a professional. Although PIPT may support partner notification (PN), many patients and partners prefer a diagnosis before treatment. PIPT with medication or a prescription combined with a home-based test-kit may be the way forward. However, PN seems to be influenced by type of partner and cultural background, requiring differentiated PN and partner therapy methods.