The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has called on journalists to step up public education on HIV prevention methods, especially pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), to help Nigerians access reliable information and prevention services.
The Director-General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, represented by Mrs Toyin Aderibigbe, made the appeal on Monday in Lagos at a training programme for journalists focused on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.
The training brought together participants from Benue, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Cross River and the Federal Capital Territory, with particular attention given to increasing awareness of lenacapavir as an HIV prevention option.
The capacity-building programme was aimed at strengthening the ability of journalists, editors, broadcasters, digital media professionals and national call centre personnel to report accurately and based on evidence about lenacapavir and other innovative HIV prevention options.
Ilori said the media remained vital to improving public knowledge about HIV prevention and ensuring Nigerians received accurate, evidence-based and potentially life-saving information.
She stressed, “Nigeria’s HIV response has evolved significantly over the years. While we continue to sustain gains in HIV testing, treatment and care, prevention remains a critical component of our national response. This is where PrEP becomes particularly important.
“PrEP is an effective HIV prevention option for people who are HIV-negative and may be at risk of acquiring HIV.”
The NACA Director-General, however, explained that simply making prevention interventions available was not enough, stressing that people also needed appropriate information to understand their choices, identify where services could be obtained and feel confident about seeking them.
She described media professionals as “indispensable partners” in efforts to prevent HIV, saying accurate and well-researched reports could correct misconceptions, encourage people to access prevention services and ultimately save lives.
Ilori also warned that inaccurate or sensational coverage could fuel fear, deepen stigma and discourage people from seeking HIV-related services.
“We therefore count on you to report PrEP and HIV prevention accurately, responsibly, respectfully and without stigma,” Ilori said.
She urged journalists to address questions that members of the public might otherwise hesitate to ask, including who can use PrEP, how it works, the available options, where the services can be obtained and what individuals should consider before selecting a prevention method.
According to her, the training went beyond the technical understanding of PrEP, as it was also intended to help journalists simplify complex medical information and present it to the public in a clear, credible and trustworthy manner.
“We want you to leave this programme better equipped to identify misinformation, challenge myths and develop compelling, evidence-based stories for television, radio, newspapers, online platforms and social media,” she said.
Ilori also encouraged journalists to maximise digital platforms, particularly because of the growing reliance of young people on the internet for health-related information.
She said the media had a responsibility to ensure credible health information was accessible on the platforms Nigerians increasingly use to seek such information.
“As Nigeria centres its prevention response under the National Strategic Plan 2023 to 2030, partnerships such as this are essential. The plan places emphasis on sustainability, innovation, stronger partnerships and greater community engagement,” she said.
The NACA boss further called for continued cooperation among the agency, media organisations, development partners and the broader digital communication sector after the training.
“We will need your continued partnership to take this evidence-based information to communities, challenge misinformation and increase awareness and demand for HIV prevention services,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Director and National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, represented by Senior Nursing Officer Nzenwata Uchechi, praised the organisers for putting the training together.
Bashorun highlighted the role of responsible and accurate journalism in improving public knowledge of HIV prevention and strengthening confidence in available services.
“Accurate, clear and responsible media reporting is essential to building public understanding and trust in HIV prevention,” Bashorun said.
He added that with the emergence of new HIV prevention methods, closer cooperation between healthcare institutions and the media would be crucial to ensuring communities receive evidence-based information and are equipped to make informed choices.
