Health experts have warned of a growing number of Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) cases among children and adolescents in Nigeria, citing stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to diagnostic tools as major obstacles to effective treatment.
The warning follows findings from the IMPAACT4HIV Consortium, which conducted research across Lagos, Kano, Rivers, and Gombe states to examine the challenges faced by children living with HIV and their caregivers.
Dr. Ramat Garra, Executive Director of Support for Women and Teenage Children, presented the findings in Abuja on Friday, noting that many AHD cases could be prevented with early intervention and proper awareness.
The study revealed that most caregivers and community members had little knowledge of the disease. “In Rivers State, over 60 percent of community participants showed minimal understanding of AHD warning signs, while caregivers in Kano reported they had never received information on the condition,” Garra said.
Stigma was identified as a significant barrier. Many adolescents reportedly stop taking medications for fear of being seen at clinics, while some parents delay disclosing their child’s HIV status, allowing the disease to advance. In Gombe State, three deaths in the past year were linked to families opting for herbal remedies instead of medical treatment.
The research also highlighted critical gaps in diagnostic capacity. Many facilities lacked essential tests, including CD4 count, Cryptococcal Antigen, and TB-LAM assays. None of the four states studied currently has a dedicated policy on AHD, relying instead on general national HIV guidelines.
Experts noted that while HIV treatment is free, indirect costs such as transportation continue to restrict access. In Rivers, changes in drug pickup frequency increased caregivers’ travel expenses, and in Gombe, some case managers used personal funds to support patients.
Aaron Sunday, Executive Director of the African Network of Adolescents and Young Persons Development, urged governments and healthcare providers to create adolescent-friendly HIV services and dedicated policies with clear budgetary allocations. He also called for a consistent supply of diagnostic tools and integration of AHD screening into pediatric, tuberculosis, and mother-to-child transmission programs.
The IMPAACT4HIV Consortium, which includes the African Network of Adolescents and Young Persons Development, Initiative for Sustainable Community Development, and Support for Women and Teenage Children, emphasized that tackling stigma, improving diagnostics, and expanding awareness are essential to preventing avoidable deaths among children living with HIV in Nigeria.
