REDUCING HIV/STDs VULNERABILITY AND INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY OF HIV/STDs SERVICES AMONG YOUTH TRADERS

Background: Youths residents in Anambra are mainly involved in trading that entail lots of travelling making it difficult get them access health services. However, majority are very religious and are found in a larger group in churches on Sundays and weekday evenings.

Methods: A one-week evening retreat "The Sexual health and wellbeing of Youth” was organised for Youth Organisation comprising over 5000 members. It was fixed into an existing youth program that addressed HIV/STI effective prevention strategies and other SH issues that affect youths. It was innovative, creative, and comprehensive including free HCT. The outreach provided ongoing SH information, counselling via phone and referred where to access full service.

Results: Participants became concerned about their SH. 9weeks afterwards, over 3000 youths sought for on-going counselling, enquiries, referrals and took charge of their SH. Lots of phone helpline calls/SMS answered.
Number of youths who access STDs/HIV clinics in the referred hospitals increased from 24%to65%. They took up the campaign, 'STDs/HIV is our business' to reduce the high rate among them.

Conclusion: This showed that business-addicted youths can leave their businesses to access STI/HIV services if the knowledge and the effects are known and the need to do so.