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Partner counseling and referral services (PCRS)

Health Factors: Sexual Activity
Decision Makers: Community Organizations, Government - Local, Healthcare Organizations
Evidence Rating: Scientifically Supported
Population Reach: <1% of WI's population
Impact on Disparities: Likely to decrease disparities

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Description

Partner counseling and referral services (PCRS) are part of the spectrum of care for STI-positive people and their sexual or needle-sharing partners. Such efforts facilitate the confidential identification and notification of partners who may have been unknowingly exposed to an STI, provide them with STI testing, and connect them to prevention and care services. 

Expected Beneficial Outcomes

Identify members of a high-prevalence target population for HIV screening
Initiate risk behavior changes with knowledge of status
Decreased spread of HIV and other STIs

Evidence of Effectiveness

There is strong evidence that partner counseling and referral services (PCRS) by provider-referral increases testing for and identification of HIV and other STIs in undiagnosed individuals (CG-HIV/AIDS-PCRS, CDC MMWR-Partner services 2008, Hogben 2007).

PCRS by patient-referral is a suggested strategy to notify partners and reduce the spread of chlamydia and gonorrhea (CDC MMWR-Partner services 2008). However, additional assessment of PCRS by patient-referral is needed to confirm effectiveness.

Implementation Examples

United States

CDC requires states to establish standards and implement procedures for PCRS (CDC-HIV infection, US DHHS-Gayle).

Wisconsin

PCRS are included as part of the Wisconsin HIV/AIDS Program.

Implementation Resources

CDC-HIV PCRS - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HIV partner counseling and referral services. Accessed on June 19, 2012
Webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/prev_prog/ahp/resources/guidelines/Interim_partnercounsel.htm
WI DHS-HIV partner services - Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). HIV partner services. Accessed on June 20, 2012
Webpage: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aids-hiv/Resources/Overviews/AIDS_HIVPartnerServices.htm
WI DHS-HIV PCRS - Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). HIV counseling, testing and referral program. Accessed on June 20, 2012
Webpage: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aids-hiv/Resources/Overviews/COUNSEL.htm

Citations - Evidence

CDC MMWR-Partner services 2008 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recommendations for partner services programs for HIV infection, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydial infection. Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). 2008;57(RR-9):1-83. Accessed on June 19, 2012
Webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5709.pdf
CG-HIV/AIDS-PCRS - The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide). Prevention of HIV/AIDS, other STIs and pregnancy: Partner counseling and referral services. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.thecommunityguide.org/hiv/pcrs.html
Hogben 2007* - Hogben M, McNally T, McPheeters M, Hutchinson AB. The effectiveness of HIV partner counseling and referral services in increasing identification of HIV-positive individuals a systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2007;33(2 Suppl):S89-S100. Accessed on June 19, 2012
Webpage: http://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797%2807%2900240-1/abstract

Citations - Implementation Examples

CDC-HIV infection - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HIV infection: Detection, counseling, and referral. Accessed on June 29, 2012
Webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/hiv.htm
US DHHS-Gayle - Gayle HD. Testimony on HIV Partner Protection Act. Washington, DC: Assistant Secretary for Legislation (ASL); US Department of Health & Human Services (US DHHS); 1998. Accessed on June 29, 2012
Webpage: http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t980929a.html

* Journal subscription may be required for access.

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Decision Makers

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Evidence Rating

Level of effectiveness based on a scan of academic literature and key recommendations of leading organizations.

  • Scientifically Supported Numerous studies or systematic review(s) with positive results
  • Some Evidence Research suggests positive impacts; further study may be warranted
  • Expert Opinion Recommended by credible groups*; research evidence limited
  • Insufficient Evidence Evidence limited or unavailable; further study warranted
  • Mixed Evidence Evidence mixed; further study warranted
  • Evidence of Ineffectiveness Research consistently shows program is detrimental or has no effect

Although many policies and programs are recommended by credible groups, we apply the rating ‘expert opinion’ only when policies are recommended but limited scientific evidence of effectiveness is available.

* The American Heritage Dictionary defines credible as 'capable of being believed; plausible.' and 'worthy of confidence; reliable.' To be considered an 'expert recommendation,' policies and programs must be recommended by one or more organizations that are recognized for their impartial expertise in the area of interest and have limited evidence available.

Potential Population Reach

Portion of Wisconsin's population likely to be reached by a policy or program if implemented statewide, based on its characteristics (e.g., target population(s), geographic limitations, and potential implementers).

<1%   20-49%
1-9%   50-99%
10-19%   100%

Potential Population Reach

Portion of Wisconsin's population likely to be reached by a policy or program if implemented statewide, based on its characteristics (e.g., target population(s), geographic limitations, and potential implementers).

<1%   20-49%
1-9%   50-99%
10-19%   100%

Potential Impact on Health Disparities

Likely impact of a given policy or program on racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic or other disparities in Wisconsin based on its characteristics (e.g., target audience, mode of delivery, etc.) and best available evidence related to disparities.

  • Likely to decrease disparities
  • No impact on disparities likely
  • Likely to increase disparities