[Contact tracing of genital Chlamydia infection]

The present study evaluates two strategies for partner notification among young women with genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The study included 443 women, aged 14-21 years, who visited one of 20 youth clinics during a two months period in 1991. The youth clinics were randomized to use patient referral or provider referral. In the latter group, 11 of 14 women with genital Chlamydia infection revealed their sexual partners. Only five of 24 sexual partners were notified by a letter, and six of 24 partners turned up for examination. In the patient referral group, 16 of 34 women asked to notify their partner, and ten of 31 partners were examined. Partner notification in young women with genital Chlamydia infection seems to be difficult.