Thinking globally and acting locally to prevent new HIV infections among youth; the case of Nigeria

In Nigeria, recent data suggests that there are about 2.8 million youth and adults aged 15 and up living with HIV. Unprotected heterosexual intercourse remains central to HIV transmission in Nigeria accounting for over 80% of all HIV infections. As a result, innovative strategies rooted in increasing youth involvement, in preventing new HIV infections are urgently needed. In this paper, we present the findings of a preliminary assessment led by the UNESCO program on Culture, HIV and AIDS, on ways to strengthen youth and youth-led non-governmental organization's (NGO's) engagement with HIV prevention activities in Nigeria. Data were collected from 60 youths and 30 youth-led NGO's located in the 6 geo-political zones of Nigeria. The findings showed that empowerment and building youth capacity should balance responsibility for males with expectations for young women so as to attain success in new efforts aimed at achieving a zero new HIV infections goal for Nigerian youth. The results also highlight the importance for culturally tailored dialogue targeted differently for school curricula and family and community. Also critical was the role of the media particularly the Nigerian Nollywood film industry in maintaining awareness aimed at reducing HIV incidence among Nigerian youth. In light of the new UN priority to achieve zero new HIV infections, we will present an intervention, in partnership with the Nigerian Nollywood industry, designed to make urgent the need for a youth led HIV prevention message in Nigerian.