Strategies to Promote HIV Self-Testing and Long-Acting Injectable PrEP Among Ghanaian Youth: Results from the Y-FIT...

Crowdsourcing is a participatory problem-solving approach that engages a large and diverse group of individuals to generate ideas or solutions. In HIV prevention, it provides a structured mechanism for involving youth in shaping intervention strategies. The Innovative Tools to Expand Youth-Friendly HIV Self-Testing and Long-Acting Injectable PrEP Uptake in Ghana (Y-FIT GH) National Open Call applied this method to generate youth-driven ideas to promote HIV self-testing (HIVST) and long-acting injectable PrEP (LAI-PrEP) in Ghana. This study describes youth responses to the open call and identifies strategies they proposed to strengthen HIV prevention among their peers. Ghanaian youth aged 15-24 years were invited to submit creative entries illustrating how HIVST and PrEP could be promoted and accessed by young people. Submissions were received through online platforms and community-based channels between May and August 2025. Following independent review, 103 eligible entries from 12 regions were qualitatively analyzed using an inductive multimodal approach. Written narratives (32%), posters (19%), and audiovisual pieces (18%) were the most common. Six interconnected thematic domains were identified: (1) HIVST and PrEP as pathways to autonomy, safety, and self-respect; (2) creative, peer-led, and culturally resonant communication; (3) multilevel, hybrid delivery models prioritizing accessibility, familiarity, and privacy; (4) stigma shaping youth engagement; (5) gaps in navigation, support, and trust in existing services; and (6) AI and AI-enabled chatbots as emerging channels for confidential information and peer support. The contest effectively engaged Ghanaian youth and generated actionable, contextually grounded strategies to enhance HIVST and PrEP uptake.