This study examined the magnitude and time trends in failure to return (FTR) rates and the relation between FTR and individual\ncharacteristics, tests procedures, waiting period for the results, and HIV test results among people who were screened for HIV in\nthe prevention and voluntary testing and counseling centers (PVTCCs) of six district hospitals of the city of Douala in Cameroon,\nbetween January 2009 and December 2013. It was a retrospective analysis of medical records. Among the 32,020 analyzed records,\nthe failure to return (FTR) rate was 14.3%. Overall, people aged 50 years and over, those tested between 2011 and 2012, and those\ntested in the PVTCC of Bonassama were less likely to return for their results. Significant factors associated with FTR included being\na housewife, having a positive/undetermined/requiring confirmation result, and provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC).\nThere was an increasing trend for FTR in the PVTCCs of Bonassama, New-Bell, Nylon, and Cit�´e des Palmiers. HIV testing and\ncounseling services in Douala district hospitals must be reorganized such that individuals tested for HIV receive their results on\nthe same day of the test. Also counselors need to better alert clients concerning the importance of returning for their test results.
Loading....