Failure to return to receive HIV-test results: the Cameroon experience

To be acquainted of one's HIV serological status is an important strategy for the fight against HIV/AIDS, but many patients still miss the appointment to receive their HIV-test result. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and serological profiles of patients not coming back to collect their HIV-test result in a tertiary health care facility in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

We undertook a retrospective analysis of data of patients who visited the HIV-day care unit of the Yaoundé Central Hospital (Yaoundé, Cameroon) from January to December 2009 in order to be screened for HIV, and who did not come back to retrieve their result.

Of the 3990 patients who visited the unit during the study period, 396 (9.92%) did not come back to collect their HIV-test result, of whom 21% were aged 26-30 years representing the most encountered age group. Females (57.8%) were significantly more present than males (p = 0.023). More than half of these patients (54.9%) visited the unit for a voluntary HIV testing. Two hundred and three patients (51.3%) had a positive HIV-test result, of whom 63.5% were females. The most HIV-infected group was the one coming for a voluntary screening (36.5%). Women not returning to receive their results were more likely to be tested HIV-positive (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-2.42; p < 0.05).

Almost 10% of patients screened for HIV infection did not come back to collect their result. More strategies should be implemented to reduce this rate, especially targeting young adults (20-35 years) and women. The delay in delivering patients' results should be shortened. Concurrently, there is need to increase voluntary HIV-testing in our settings.