Martha's Case: The Unwelcome Phone Call

Key Messages

1.The partner notification process is important. By informing, assessing and treating partners the following objectives are achieved:

• Prevention of re-infection of the index case
• Limiting the propagation of infection to others
• Diminishing the risks of sequelae for partners
• Encouraging safer sex practices

2. Adequately managing a patient referred through the partner notification process requires:

• A non-judgemental, understanding approach
• A complete STI risk evaluation
• Appropriate screening
• Treatment
• Counselling on STI prevention

3. Effective STI prevention counselling includes:

• Teaching about proper condom use
• Acknowledging barriers to safer sex practices and introducing strategies to overcome them
• Identifying risk factors for STI and helping people to address them