The African Network of Adolescents and Young Person’s Development (ANAYD) recently hosted the AIDS 2024 Nigeria Virtual Hub, with support from the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+). This event brought together a vibrant group of 23 participants to engage in critical discussions about HIV/AIDS. This virtual gathering provided a platform for young people to learn, share, and contribute to the global fight against HIV/AIDS, all from the comfort of ANAYD's office in Nigeria.
The International AIDS Conference is renowned for advancing the global HIV response, uniquely positioned at the crossroads of science, advocacy, and human rights. Since 1985, it has served as a vital forum for strengthening policies and programs based on evidence. Themed - Put people first, AIDS 2024 conference called on the global HIV response to unite behind this basic principle. The AIDS 2024 Nigeria Virtual Hub aimed to bring this global discourse to a local level, empowering Nigerian youths to take an active role in combating HIV/AIDS.
Key Sessions and Insights:
STI and STD Prevention
The first session delved into the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and heterosexual men. Discussions centered on the use of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), with a specific mention of doxycycline prophylaxis. The session highlighted the importance of using condoms, counseling, and regular screening as preventive measures. Studies from Australia and Zambia provided real-world insights into the effectiveness and challenges of these interventions.
Partnership and Sustainability
ANAYD’s Executive Director, Mr. Aaron Sunday, led a session on the importance of networks and partnerships in sustaining the HIV response. He emphasized the role of community networks in social mobilization, challenging punitive laws, and ensuring resource mobilization. Strong partnerships are crucial for putting communities at the forefront of the HIV response, enabling them to lead processes and drive change.
Donors should also be held accountable after receiving feedback on how funds have been used. This would mitigate the fear and pressure they sometimes place on recipients, which can hinder the achievement of targeted goals in HIV programming.
Mental Health
Mental health was a significant focus, with speakers Ivy Jebet and Vindi Singh discussing the mental health challenges faced by young people living with HIV. They stressed the need for mental health training, online assessment tools, and accessible mental health services. Engaging community-based organizations (CBOs) in identifying and referring mental health cases was also highlighted as a key strategy.
Advocacy for People Living with HIV
Speakers emphasized the importance of engaging communities and stakeholders to create awareness and reduce stigma. They discussed strategies for building better communities, educating the media, and ensuring the inclusion of young people in decision-making processes. Protecting human rights and using language that resonates with the audience were underscored as essential components of effective advocacy.
Challenges in the Porn Industry
In a unique session, a porn star shared the personal and professional challenges faced within the industry. Issues such as finding sex partners, sexual fulfillment, body image, and dealing with discomfort in certain sex positions were candidly discussed. This session provided a rare insight into the intersection of personal challenges and professional demands in the adult entertainment industry.
Trans Inclusion and Rights
The opening ceremony saw a coalition of trans advocates demand greater trans inclusion, underscoring the need for a gender-diverse and inclusive world. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima echoed this call, urging leaders to abolish punitive laws that drive marginalized communities away from life-saving health services. The theme for AIDS 2024, “#PutPeopleFirst,” was reiterated, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Putting People First
Dr. Christy led a session on prioritizing key populations, adolescents, and young persons in HIV/AIDS programming. She stressed the need for creating reliable social networks, safe spaces, and youth-friendly environments. Involving young people in policy-making and funding programs specifically for young people were highlighted as crucial steps for effective HIV intervention.
Engaging youth as they are the drivers and pool point of the epidemic.
Reaching Out to Young People
The session on interventions for young adolescents and LGBTQI persons highlighted successful programs like PrEP 15-19 in Brazil, which used school spaces and NGOs to reach out to peers. Different platforms were discussed for delivering HIV prevention packages to young LGBTQI persons.
Peer to peer intervention is very important because young people will feel free to disclose issues they are facing to their peers.
Acute HIV Infection Knowledge
This session underscored the need for a better understanding of acute HIV infection, including social norms, disclosure, and early testing. Identifying symptoms and key risk factors were discussed as essential for guiding acute and early HIV testing.
TB Screening
TB screening and its correlation with HIV were discussed, emphasizing the need for TB preventive drugs and addressing poverty-related issues affecting viral loads among young persons.
Key Takeaways and Reflections
Participants actively engaged in discussions and shared their reflections and key takeaways, which included:
- Effective HIV/STI intervention through condom programming and the use of PrEP/PEP.
- The importance of resource mobilization and partnerships using community approaches.
- Engaging young people in policy and decision-making processes.
- Mental health training for people living with HIV to reduce mental health issues.
- Creating safe spaces for key populations to access health care services.
The AIDS 2024 Nigeria Virtual Hub successfully engaged young minds, providing them with critical knowledge and strategies to support the HIV response in their communities. The event fostered a sense of community and empowered participants to take an active role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
ANAYD’s efforts in hosting this event highlight the importance of local engagement in global health issues. By bringing the International AIDS Conference’s discussions to a local level, ANAYD is empowering the next generation to lead the charge in ending HIV/AIDS.
