Youth living with HIV/AIDS in Lagos State face significant barriers to sexual and reproductive health services, particularly fear of HIV disclosure and transportation costs, with only 41% demonstrating good SRH knowledge despite high awareness of condoms.
The majority of youth living with HIV/AIDS surveyed were female, relatively young, and nearly half had experienced parental loss.
While awareness of male condoms was high among youth living with HIV/AIDS, only a minority were sexually active and overall SRH knowledge was low.
Key sexual and reproductive health needs identified by youth living with HIV/AIDS included access to youth-friendly services, comprehensive education, diverse contraceptive options, support for HIV status confidentiality, and transportation assistance.
Fear of HIV disclosure and transportation costs were the most commonly reported barriers to SRH service utilization among youth living with HIV/AIDS.
Sexual activity was significantly associated with contraceptive use and being in a relationship.
This research surveyed 117 young people (average age 18.6 years) living with HIV/AIDS who were members of HIV support groups in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study found that while most participants (78.6%) knew about male condoms, fewer than half (41%) had good overall knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, and only one-third reported being sexually active. Nearly half of the participants had lost one or both parents, highlighting the vulnerability of this group. The study found that the biggest obstacles preventing these young people from accessing sexual and reproductive health services were fear that their HIV status would be revealed (reported by about two-thirds of participants) and the cost of transportation to services (reported by about 60%). Young people in relationships were nearly six times more likely to be sexually active, and those using contraception were over three times more likely to be sexually active, suggesting these factors are closely linked. The young people themselves identified needing access to services designed with their age group in mind, better education, more contraceptive choices, and help keeping their HIV status private. This research suggests that improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes for young people living with HIV in Nigeria requires addressing both practical barriers like transportation costs and stigma-related fears around HIV disclosure. Programs and policies targeting this population need to ensure confidentiality, make services physically and financially accessible, and provide comprehensive, age-appropriate education to close the gap between condom awareness and broader reproductive health knowledge.
Adelekan B, Femi-Adebayo T, Adebayo B, Somefun E, Haruna A, Popoola B, et al.. (2025). Sexual and reproductive health needs and barriers among youth living with HIV/AIDS in Lagos State, Nigeria.. African journal of reproductive health. https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i2.14