Young people in Cameroon getting tested for HIV are not returning for their results, which may be contributing to an increase in new HIV infections in the western African republic, local newspaper The Post reports (allafrica.com, 1/14).

According to new data collected at the Institute for Research, Socioeconomic Development and Communication (IRESCO) in Yaounde—the capital city of Cameroon—only seven percent of the 100 people studied ages 15–24 returned to testing centers to collect their results. The article suggests that HIV/AIDS stigma may be contributing to this phenomenon.

In response to these findings, The Post reports that IRESCO announced on January 14 the launch of a new awareness campaign—including television and radio spots—to encourage young people to learn their HIV status and collect their test results.