Partner notification and patient education for cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a rural Nova Scotia health unit

From September 1990 to March 1991, 47 of 52 patients with genital C. trahomatis infections in a rural health unit in Nova Scotia were interviewed about preventive education by physicians, partner notification, past history, and treatment. Seventy-six percent of those with partners of the previous month were instructed by physicians to notify these partners. Twenty-five of 37 partners were notified. Of those not notified, 83% could have been reached. Reasons for cases not notifying partners included not being informed of test results, embarrassment, and not considering notification important. Fifty-two percent of cases were advised to practise safer sex; this was generally limited to advice to use condoms. Twenty-three percent had had a previous sexually transmitted disease. Treatment was appropriate in all cases where it could be determined. More preventive education by physicians and public health involvement in partner notification for such patients are required.