HIV Testing AMONG Young PEOPLE: IMPLICATIONS for SEXUAL and Reproductive HEALTH Behaviour

HIV infection is high among young people in Nigeria who often lack access to accurate and personalized HIV information and prevention services. We conducted a cross-sectional analyses of the data generated through a face-to- face interview of 6,081 male and female never-married youths attending a youth friendly clinic in Lagos Nigeria with the aim of describing their sexual behaviour and identifying the factors influencing HIV testing among the group. Only 25.5% of the never married youths reported to have ever had sexual intercourse and the mean age of first sexual initiation was 15 years. Most (87.7%) of those that were sexually active reported 1 or 2 partners however, 59.1% did not use any contraceptive for their last sexual intercourse. The prevalence of HIV testing was very low (1%) and factor significantly associated with testing were history of reproductive tract infection and ever having had sex. There is an urgent need to promote and increase HIV testing among this vulnerable group and also to encourage safer sexual practices.