SUMMARY

OPEN, a clinic-based patient-centered program, promotes sexually transmitted infection (STI) partner notification in urban, minority populations with high rates of infection. A trained health educator delivers OPEN in 2 one-on-one counseling sessions. The first session (which lasts approximately 30 minutes) is delivered after the initial STI diagnosis, and the second session (which lasts about 10 minutes) is optional, and occurs roughly four weeks later, either in person or by phone.

During the first session, the health educator engages in a discussion with the participant about the participant.s risky sexual behaviors, and helps the participant identify potential sexual partners to notify about STI infection. Then, the participant and health educator develop a notification plan, and work on skills to improve sexual partner notification through role playing. At the end of the session the participant completes and signs a notification contract. During the second session, the health educator reviews with the participant any progress made on notification, and they discuss any barriers encountered to notifying partners.

SUITABLE FOR USE IN

Although designed and evaluated for populations infected by gonorrhea and Chlamydia, this program.s enhancements for patient-centered partner notification apply to adult populations in clinics and settings that offer other STI services.

ORIGINAL INTERVENTION SAMPLE

Age, Gender
18-50 years old, 40% female; 60% male

Race/Ethnicity
40% African-American, 52% African Caribbean, 8% Other

PROGRAM LENGTH

The first session last approximately 30 minutes, the second session (which is optional) last approximately 10 minutes.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS/TRAINING

OPEN is delivered by a trained health educator. The Facilitator.s Manual provides detailed instructions and example scripts to help implement the program.