Willingness to Pay for HIV Prevention Commodities Among Key Population Groups in Nigeria

Key population (KP) groups, such as female sex workers and men who have sex with men, in Nigeria rely on free HIV prevention commodities, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits, provided through foreign aid. We investigated the willingness of KP groups to use and pay for HIV prevention commodities to support improved sustainable HIV prevention programming.

In 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in 3 states with KP groups. The survey covered sociodemographic characteristics and willingness to use and pay for PrEP, HIVST, and condoms, and we used a bidding game iteration process to collect data on factors that influence willingness to use and pay for the commodities. We performed bivariate and multivariable regression analyses to explore factors that may determine willingness to pay and the maximum amount willing to pay.

Of the participants surveyed, 73% were willing to pay for PrEP services, 81% were willing to pay for HIVST, and 87% were willing to pay for condoms. Willingness to pay varied between the commodities and was associated with, among other variables: age, KP group, marital status, level of education, employment status, place of residence, average monthly income, and familiarity with the commodity in question.

We demonstrate that KP groups are willing to pay for HIV prevention commodities, but there is a need to bridge the gap between the maximum amount they are willing to pay and retail prices. If prices are reduced, the willingness to pay may result in high consumption and positive returns for the private sector.