Factors Influencing Sexual Partner Referral for Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Uganda

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Abstract
Background and Objective: Patient-based partner referral has limited effectiveness. We studied factors associated with sexual partner referral among patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with a view of suggesting remedial action. Goal: To examine the role of psychosocial variables vis-à-vis other variables in predicting sexual partner referral. Study Design: A cross-sectional interview survey with 507 patients with STDs at an STD clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Multivariate analyses were used to identify independent predictors of sexual partner referral. Results: Forty-two percent of the 599 partners elicited were referred. The independent factors that favored sexual partner referral were examined in the laboratory (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-4.05): psychosocial variables of intention (likelihood of referring the partner) (AOR 4.60, CI 1.58-13.36), self-efficacy (partner referral being easy) (AOR 3.22, CI 1.36-7.66), having a positive attitude toward partner referral (AOR 1.19, CI 1.06-1.33), and previous success in having referred a partner (AOR 9.78, CI 2.90-33.04). Other variables, such as age, sex, marital status, employment, and type of partner, that were significant on univariate analysis were not significant after multivariate analysis. Conclusion: By providing interventions to change the psychosocial variables, there is a high chance of improving compliance with sexual partner referral.