Attitudes of WA GPs to chlamydia partner notification - A survey.

Background: Partner notification is essential to interrupt transmission of sexually transmissible infections. We surveyed the attitudes to partner notification of general practitioners seeing 1-5 cases of chlamydia annually.

Methods: We collected data on chlamydia notifications received in Western Australia from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008. Treating GPs were identified and 200 were randomly selected.

Results: One hundred and five (53%) GPs responded. They believed automatic partner notification by the Department of Health occurred following notification (45%) or by ticking the box on the notification form (88%). Ninety-seven percent of GPs encouraged partner notification; 55% ensured it occurred. Printable resources were favoured by 90%, but use of web based resources was low. Practice nurses were seldom involved in partner notification.

Discussion: Although GPs believed that partner notification was important, follow up was infrequent. They believed (erroneously) that the Department of Health would routinely undertake partner notification. Printable resources for partner notification would be welcomed.