Exploring the barriers and facilitators to HIV information and health services among youth in N'Djamena, Chad: a qualitative descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES

Identifying the barriers and facilitators for Chadian youth (aged 15-24 years) along the pathway of access to HIV information and health services.

STUDY DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive study.

STUDY SETTING

The study was conducted in N'Djamena, Chad, with 20 high schools purposefully selected based on participation in a Blue Cross Chad (BCC) peer-to-peer education programme.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of four focus groups, each consisting of 12 participants, stratified by gender and BCC programme participation (two each among participating and non-participating high schools), were conducted.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative study using thematic analysis of content was conducted. The qualitative software ATLAS.ti V.22 was used to organise and code the data.

RESULTS

Five main categories of barriers and facilitators for HIV information and health services were identified, including (1) societal expectations and norms; (2) power dynamics; (3) social networks; (4) peer-education programmes; and (5) bypassing the system. Barriers and facilitators to information information-seeking and access to health services were observed at individual, community and system levels. High school students expressed that access to information and health services were important when it comes to HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment. Societal expectations and power dynamics were identified as key barriers, while trust through social networks and peer-education programmes were key facilitators to accessing information and health services.

CONCLUSION

This study allowed for the identification of both barriers and facilitators of HIV information and health-seeking in the context of N'Djamena, Chad. Our findings highlight the importance of comprehensive community- and youth-led approaches that are youth-friendly and youth-centric and are needed to effectively communicate HIV information.