SITUATION ANALYSIS REPORT OF COVID-19 IMPACT:
ON ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV (AYPLHIV) AND YOUNG KEY POPULATIONS IN NIGERIA.

Adolescents and Young People Living with HIV (AYPLHIV) (10 -24 years) are not the faces of this pandemic, however, they risk being among its greatest casualties. While they have fortunately been saved from many of the immediate impacts of COVID-19, the emergency still profoundly affects their mental and physical wellbeing. It is generally recorded that Adolescents and young people (AYP) especially AYPLHIV face extreme effects during crises.

The COVID19 pandemic maintains these outcomes considerably more, as the general well-being measures for the control of the infection place AYPLHIV at expanded dangers of an interrupted supply of lifesaving antiretroviral medications, especially pregnant young girls living with HIV, who may also be less likely to visit the clinic. These difficulties are more pronounced for AYPLHIV who are at a crossing point of sexual orientation, disability, and in networks confronting extra difficulties.

The Situation analysis, which was conducted from December 2020 to January 2021, gathered responses from AYPLHIV including the Young Key population living with H I V i n six (6) states covering the six (6) geo -political zones in Nigeria.

They are; Kaduna, Benue, Lagos, Rivers, Anambra, and Taraba states. The states were selected based on the COVID-19 cases , HIV prevalence amongst AYPs, availability of HIV youth networks, and Key population-led organizations. The Situation analysis was intended to measure the impact of COVID-19 on AYPLHIV in Nigeria and to provide key recommendations to influence policy and programmatic actions to Government and relevant stakeholders.

The principal challenge of AYPLHIV since the lockdown is access to life-saving antiretroviral medications. Next on the priority of the AYPLHIV is the fear of visiting Health facilities which has ultimately disrupted young positive clients from adhering to ARVs, interruption of support group activities, and returning to school. Additional challenges are the availability of food, cost of transportation to visit facilities, and more.