(PL29) EVALUATION OF A DIGITAL PARTNER NOTIFICATION TOOL FOR REPORTABLE STI EXPOSURES, MIAMI, FL, MARCH – MAY 2024

Background:
Identifying, testing, and treating partners exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is critical for interrupting disease transmission. Traditionally, STI prevention programs do this through in-person or phone interviews with index patients and their partners, referring the latter for STI testing and treatment (partner services). However, partner services have become less effective over time with index patients naming fewer locatable partners. To give patients another tool for secure anonymous partner exposure notification, the Florida Department of Health began using digital partner notification (dPN) at Miami-Dade’s PrEP Clinic in March 2024. We assessed the effectiveness of dPN as a supplement to traditional partner services.

Methods:
De-identified dPN data from March 6, 2024, through May 22, 2024, were extracted from the dPN database. The number of index cases, named partners, partners receiving dPN, and named partners verified as tested were calculated. Reported partners, notified partners, and tested partners were divided by the index patients to calculate ratios per index patient.

Results:
In total, 142 new index patients and 422 sexual partners (2.9 partners per index patient) were identified. Among the 422 partners identified, 102 (24%) received dPN notifications (0.72 partners per index patient). The remaining 320 were either non-contactable or were notified by the index patient of exposure. Of those notified by dPN, 54% (n=55) opened the message. A total of 37 partners verified they had been tested (18 self-verified, 3 verified via follow-up, 16 verified by DIS).

Conclusion:
The use of dPN identified sexual partners, notified partners of exposure, and brought partners to testing without requiring DIS resources. Obtaining accurate contact information remains crucial for effective partner services regardless of partner notification method. Bringing exposed sexual partners to testing and treatment is essential for STI transmission intervention, and dPN may be an additional tool to assist in these efforts.