How Does Partner Services Contribute to the Diagnosis and Control of STDs in Philadelphia?

Background:  In Philadelphia, partner services continues to be a prioritized intervention for the diagnosis and control of STDs and HIV.  Limited data exist documenting additional infections detected or prevented besides the original infection followed for partner services.  

Methods:  Data regarding the number of partner services interviews conducted, contacts named, and the outcomes of the investigation of the named contacts were abstracted from the STD Control Informational Database (SCID). The data were tabulated to determine the number of new infections diagnosed or preventatively treated for the partner services attempt.

Results:  Between January 1, 2016 and April 30, 2016, 254 cases of primary, secondary and early latent syphilis cases were interviewed and 421 contacts elicited.  Of these 421 contacts, 30 were diagnosed as new syphilis cases and 132 were preventively treated for syphilis. In addition, 5 new cases of chlamydia were found and 8 individuals were preventively treated for chlamydia, 11 new gonorrhea cases were found and 7 individuals were preventively treated for gonorrhea, and 5 new HIV cases were found and 29 individuals were documented as being HIV negative.  In addition, 31 individuals were referred for PrEP.  During the same time period, 105 additional individuals were interviewed for HIV infection (either new or existing HIV with a new GC infection. From these interviews, 115 contacts were elicited with 4 new HIV diagnoses made, and 32 individuals were documented as HIV negative. Finally, those 115 contacts found 2 new chlamydia infections and 8 individuals were preventively treated for chlamydia, 7 new GC infections with 15 preventively treated for gonorrhea and 26 referrals for PrEP.

Conclusions:  Partner services remains a valuable tool for the diagnoses and control of STDs in Philadelphia.