%A Elian Aviraz Rosenfeld
%T Exploratory research on health care providers' perspectives on expedited partner therapy to treat patients with chlamydia
%X Chlamydia is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact.  It is the most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States and an issue of public health importance. Expedited partner therapy (EPT) effectively reduces rates of reinfection and increases the number of partners treated for chlamydia.  EPT does not require sexual partners of patients infected with chlamydia to undergo screening or medical examination; instead the patient gives his/her sexual partner(s) a prescription or medication to treat the infection. The aim of this dissertation was to understand health care providers? perspectives regarding EPT using a mixed methods research approach.  The first study that was conducted used a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews to gain an understanding of providers? views and opinions regarding the use of EPT in a context where EPT is permissible but underutilized. While providers have high levels of knowledge and sometimes use EPT, they identify multiple, systems-level barriers and potential facilitators for broader implementation of EPT.  Nearly one third of providers interviewed failed to recognize the link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and most did not use screening questions that would directly assess for coercive STD risk.  The second study utilized the findings from the qualitative study to develop an online survey.  Close to half of providers reported never using EPT, and only 10% reported always using EPT.  Knowledge of EPT was associated with use of EPT and was associated with more positive attitudes about EPT.  The most significant findings from these studies are that providers need to be educated about EPT.  Both studies found that most providers did not routinely use EPT, but believe the practice is beneficial for patients infected with chlamydia.  It is also clear that the majority of providers are not aware of or concerned about IPV in the context of EPT use.  Providers need training and knowledge about IPV screening in order to make EPT safe and effective.  Ultimately, providers need to be educated about this form of partner therapy, and clarity around the regulations of this practice is necessary in order to increase the use of EPT.
%D 2014
%K expedited partner therapy
%I University of Pittsburgh
%L pittir22565