Challenges associated with sexually transmitted infection partner notification approaches in Africa: a scoping review protocol

Background

Despite extensive prevention efforts, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health concern across Africa. Partner notification (PN) is an important component of STI case management that aims to identify and manage sexual partners of people diagnosed with STIs and thereby reduce onward transmission and reinfection. Previous reviews have examined PN strategies in developing countries and sub-Saharan Africa, including acceptability, efficacy, barriers and facilitators, but these reviews have focused on specific populations, outcomes or periods and have not comprehensively mapped challenges experienced by both patients and healthcare providers across African settings. This review will therefore map the nature, range and distribution of reported challenges associated with current STI PN approaches across Africa.