Digital interventions for STI and HIV partner notification: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Partner notification (PN) is crucial for controlling sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.
• Digital interventions are increasingly used to facilitate PN.
• This review examines digital PN interventions, user preferences, and acceptability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe digital PN interventions used for STIs and HIV.
• To understand patient and partner preferences and acceptability of digital PN.
• To identify gaps in current digital PN strategies.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review of eight databases was conducted.
• Articles were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.
• Quantitative and qualitative data were synthesized using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Twenty-six articles met the eligibility criteria, with varied quality and design.
• Interventions have shifted from simple notification to partner management (testing, treatment).
• Index patients preferred digital methods for casual partners, while partners generally preferred face-to-face PN.

Conclusions:

• Digital PN currently emphasizes notification over comprehensive management.
• Digital PN can improve outcomes for specific partner types and infections.
• Further research is needed on effectiveness, impact, and health economics.