Original Research

Risky sexual behaviour amidst predicament of acceptable sexually transmitted infection partner notification modalities: A cross-sectional survey amongst minibus taxi drivers in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Mathildah M. Mokgatle, Sphiwe Madiba
South African Family Practice | Vol 62, No 1 : Part 4| a5165 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v62i1.5165 | © 2020 MATHILDAH M. MOKGATLE | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 11 June 2020 | Published: 10 December 2020

About the author(s)

Mathildah M. Mokgatle, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
Sphiwe Madiba, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Sexually transmitted infection patient-initiated partner notification (PN) approach has been implemented over a decade in South Africa, however, use and update by patients has been limited. This study assessed the perceived use of patient-initiated PN by using referral slips and measured the level of acceptability of provider-initiated PN by using short message service (SMS) to the personal mobile phones of sexual partners.

Methods: A formative evaluation approach using a quantitative survey amongst 722 minibus taxi drivers in nine major taxi ranks in Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng Province. STATA IC version 13 was used for data analyses.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.2 years (59%) were single, 59.5% had multiple sexual partners, 52.2% did not use a condom during the last sexual act, 42.8% reported inconsistent use of condoms and 65% tested for HIV in the past 12 months. The majority (98.2%) understood the importance of PN, but 51% would prefer telling a sexual partner face to face. Perceived easiness of delivering a PN slip was 69.1%, and 93% would use a PN slip received from a partner. Acceptability of provider-initiated PN by using an SMS was 62.7% and about a third (32.5%) were not in favour of provider-initiated PN by SMS. Twenty four point 7 percent (24.7%) preferred patient-initiated PN and 24.3% preferred provider-initiated PN.

Conclusion: Preferred patient-initiated and provider-initiated PN was almost equal, hence, the provider-initiated PN should be augmented to support the current patient-initiated PN to increase the overall STI notification.


Keywords

partner notification; sexually transmitted infections; STI prevention and control; taxi industry; risky sexual behaviour; short message service

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