From Stigma to Support: Exploring Youth Views on STI Partner Notification in Maseru, Lesotho

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background: The burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) varies by region and sex, and the greatest burden exists in low-income countries where STI testing is not conducted, and treatment is based on symptoms. Partner notification is a key strategy for controlling STIs, but it remains underutilized because of factors that are sociocultural, structural, and systematic. Methods: This study employed a sequential exploratory mixed method approach to assess the perceptions and social dynamics that affect partner notification strategies to control curable STIs in Maseru, Lesotho. The article reports the qualitative findings of the investigation. Five focus groups with between six and ten participants each were used to collect data between June and July 2025; the participants were purposively sampled. Results: Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of study reveal five themes: knowledge or understanding of STI transmission, attitudes toward partner notification, motivators and benefits for STI partner notification services, barriers to STI partner notification, and preferred partner notification methods before and during the relationship. Conclusion: Youth have supportive views about partner notification services. It is, however, important to understand barriers to partner notification, in order to inform tailored services for youth. Moreover, comprehensive sexuality education and youth’s views on implementation of other partner notification services remain critical if the health services are to be responsive to their sexual and reproductive needs.