Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to describe the outcome of contact tracing (partner notification) for Chlamydia Trachomatis in Riverside County community health facilities and describe the differences between genders, race/ethnicity, single versus multiple partners, and type of contact tracing at Riverside County between the time frame of 1997 and 2001. Theoretical framework. The foundation of this study is based on the health and human rights framework. This framework is divided into three parts: (a) the influence of health policies, programs, and practices on human rights; (b) the knowledge that violations on human rights influence health; and (c) the concept that the promotion and protection of human rights and health are related. This study evaluates various components of the health and human rights framework in relation to partner notification. Methodology. The research design was a nonexperimental, descriptive study. The study explored the difference between genders, race/ethnicity, single versus multiple partners, and type of contact tracing at Riverside County between the time frame of 1997 and 2001. There was no experimental manipulation of variables or random assignment of subjects, and the data were collected through secondary analysis. The study population consisted of provider-referred partners (n = 255), clusters (n = 7), and patient-referred partners (n = 54) and provider reports (N = 5253). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows. Chi-square was applied to test for significant differences. Findings. The study concluded that: (a) females were identified or diagnosed through a provider contact report in higher incidence than males, (b) a higher incidence of males access the healthcare system through the process of partner notification (provider-referred partner, cluster, and patient-referred partner), (c) and there was a difference in the preference of contact tracing within the Hispanic population. A large percentage of Hispanics were captured through provider-referred partner notification, and individuals with multiple partners were more likely to choose provider-referred partner notification. Recommendations. The results of this study clearly indicate various social and cultural preferences related to specific methods of partner notification. With the increase in sexually transmitted diseases, more research needs to be conducted on partner notification, specific human rights issues, and best practices to the implementation of contact tracing related to culture and gender roles.