The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) says more than 70 per cent of young Nigerians do not have accurate information about HIV prevention.
NACA Director-General, Dr Temitope Ilori, made this known in Lagos during a two-day training for journalists and social media influencers on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Ilori called on media professionals to make better use of their platforms to share simple, accurate and relatable information on HIV prevention, testing and treatment.
She expressed concern about the spread of misinformation on social media, saying it could discourage young people from seeking HIV testing and using available prevention services.
According to her, HIV messages targeted at young people should not be based on fear. Rather, they should provide clear information that helps them understand how to protect themselves, access services and make informed decisions.
She also stressed the need to tackle stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
Ilori explained that PrEP is a preventive medicine for people who are HIV-negative and can greatly reduce the risk of acquiring HIV when taken correctly.
She said PrEP is available in oral and injectable forms, including the long-acting injectable drug lenacapavir, which is administered every six months.
The NACA boss added that condoms and other prevention measures remained important in the fight against HIV.
She said the media had a critical role to play in ensuring that Nigerians had access to reliable information and understood how and where to access HIV prevention services.
The training, attended by more than 30 media professionals and partners, was organised by NACA in collaboration with the World Health Organisation to strengthen media reporting on HIV prevention and PrEP.
The WHO Technical Officer for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STI, Dr Oluwafunke Odunlade, said PrEP works by preventing HIV from establishing an infection in the body.
She urged journalists and social media influencers to help correct myths and misconceptions about HIV and PrEP.
Also speaking, the Director of Health and Social Care at the National Orientation Agency, Dr Ayola Olufemi, said accurate information was essential to changing misconceptions and encouraging healthier choices.
She urged the media to continue placing HIV prevention on the public agenda while using factual and easy-to-understand information.
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