Assessing the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria
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Date
2025-12
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Lead City University, Ibadan
Abstract
This quantitative cross-sectional study assessed the sexual and reproductive health (SRH)n knowledge, attitude and experience of adolescents and young adults with HIV (AYLHIV) in Lagos, Nigeria. Data from randomly selected 443 AYLHIV from 4 facilities, were obtained with a self-administered questionnaire from February to August 2023. T-tests, and odds ratio and logistic regression statistics were used for data analysis. Mean age of respondents was 18.5(±2.9) years, majority were male (51.5%), in school (61.2%), and perinatally infected with HIV (81.7%). A minority smoked (6.3%) and took street drugs (6.7%). Two-thirds (69.8%) had poor knowledge of, and half (49.7%) had negative attitude to SRH. Factors associated with good knowledge were older age (aOR=1.07[1.03-1.10]), comprehensive sexuality education(CSE (aOR=2.30[1.34- 3.92]),higher socio-economic status (aOR=1.04[1.01-1.08]), HIV status disclosure (aOR=2.61 [1.57-4.36]), and SRH communication with caregivers (aOR=2.47[1.61-3.79]). Factors associated with attitude were age, CSE, SRH communication, SRH knowledge and sexual experience (p <0.05). Mean age at menarche was 13.3(±2.3) years, and majority of AGYW (64.6%) had good menstrual hygiene practice. Factors associated with good MHP was having learned of menstruation before menarche (OR:2.45[1.03-5.93]). 32.5% of respondents were sexually experienced with sexual debut at 17.2(±3.3) years. Early sexual debut [21.1%], inconsistent condom use [52.9%], transactional sex [23.3%], and multiple sexual partnership [51.8%], were common. Sexual abuse (20.1%), intimate partner violence (8.1%), unintended pregnancies (20.9%), and sexually transmitted infection (14.6%) were also prevalent. Factors associated with these adverse experiences were not having CSE, no SRH communication with caregivers, low socio-economic status and poor SRH knowledge. Available AYFCs did not offer comprehensive SRH services, only providing SRH counselling, occasional condoms, and referrals for other SRH issues. Improving access to SRH information, education, and service, and providing support for HIV status disclosure for AYLHIV, improving socio-economic condition of the society, and helping parents improve communication skills would ensure optimal SRH of AYLHIV.
Key Words: Sexual and reproductive health, adolescents, young adults, knowledge, attitude, experience, Lagos, Nigeria
Word Count: 300
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Keywords
Sexual and reproductive health, adolescents, young adults, knowledge, attitude, experience, Lagos, Nigeria
Citation
kate Turabian