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Strategies to Sustain HIV Prevention Interventions Among Adolescents and Young Adults: Analysis of Data from a Crowdsourcing Open Call in Nigeria

Ujunwa Onyeama , Lauren Fidelak, Weiming Tang , Susan Nkengasong, Titilola Gbaja-biamila, Lateef Akeem, Adesola Musa, Folahanmi Akinsolu, Tomilola Musari-Martins , Jane Okwuzu, Aishat Koledowo, Suzanne Day, Ojo Temitope, Olufunto Olusanya, Kadija Tahlil, Donaldson Conserve, Oluwaseun Bamodu, Nora Rosenberg, Ucheoma Nwaozuru, Chisom Obiezu-Umeh, Collins Airhihenbuwa, Oliver Ezechi, Juliet Iwelunmor, Joseph Tucker

Abstract

Background Crowdsourcing is a process whereby a large group, including experts and non-experts, collaborate to solve a problem and then share the solution with the public. Crowdsourcing can be used to identify strategies to sustain HIV services in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to identify innovative adolescent and young adult (AYA) solutions through a crowdsourcing open call to sustain HIV services. Methods Building on HIV prevention services developed by AYA from an initial open call, we organized a crowdsourcing open call to identify innovative, AYA-led strategies to sustain these services through partnerships with the community. The open call question was, “How might we sustain the 4 Youth by Youth HIV prevention services while nurturing our existing relationships, practices, procedures, and services that will last in our communities?” All submissions were assessed based on prespecified judging criteria. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis and categorized into strategies for sustaining AYA-friendly HIV prevention services in Nigeria. Results We received 102 eligible submissions from AYA. 23 submissions met the mean score threshold and were qualitatively analyzed. Through this analysis, we identified four strategies for sustaining AYA-friendly HIV prevention services in Nigeria: AYA engagement and leadership in research, digital health solutions, financing and efficiency, and partnerships. Conclusion This open call highlights how strategies developed by AYA may sustain AYA-friendly HIV prevention services. Our findings offer key insights for maintaining HIV prevention services in Nigeria and other similar settings. Keywords: Adolescents, Young Adults, AYA, Sustainability, HIV prevention, Crowdsourcing, Open call, AYA-friendly Strategies, 4YBY.

SH24233  Accepted 27 March 2025

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