ISPUB.COM The Internet Journal of Public Health Volume 3 Number 1 DOI: 10.5580/IJPH.25533 1 of 6 HIV/AIDS In Young People In Nigeria; The Impact Of Globalization J Okudo Citation J Okudo. HIV/AIDS In Young People In Nigeria; The Impact Of Globalization. The Internet Journal of Public Health. 2015 Volume 3 Number 1. DOI: 10.5580/IJPH.25533 Abstract HIV/AIDS has remained one of Nigeria’s greatest problems and has dealt a great blow to the country. After South Africa, Nigeria places second in the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Most new HIV infections in Nigeria occur in young people, many studies have shown that about 60% of all new HIV infections in Nigeria occur in this group; HIV prevalence is highest in those between 15 and 29 years. For nearly half a century, significant changes have occurred in the areas of politics and economy. Global interventions have failed because of poor access to healthcare and weaknesses in the health system, inherent and otherwise. The implication of globalization is significant in HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Nigeria is continuously saddled with strife, debt, and debt repayment, dearth of social amenities, corruption and poor governance. Surveillance strategies have not been very helpful and many interventions targeting HIV/AIDS have not been culturally sensitive. This paper attempts to evaluate the impact of globalization and the ability of the Nigerian government and non-governmental organizations to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as well as to identify major determinants of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria that are impacted by globalization. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Many papers have identified that several HIV based interventions have failed to yield impact because of a lack of structure or strength in the health system1, 2 and Nigeria is not an exception to this. On the long run, funds set aside for health systems are poorly distributed and when available are not well utilized. Globalization has several definitions but it is essential to note however, that it takes into consideration the nurturing of ideas and linkages which include but are not limited to series of actions systematically working on a political, economic and cultural sense globally or internationally3. Our lives are impacted to a large degree by exchange and communication and HIV/AIDS is therefore not an exception3. HIV/AIDS cannot be taken from an isolated or stand-alone point of view. It is not just an infectious disease but an international disease4. HIV/AIDS is without a doubt related to power dynamics, gender inequality and lack of wealth; these are intertwined with social maligning and poor economic power. Considering its traveling nature and the very nature of migration especially in the search for better life as is typically common within Nigeria, HIV/AIDS will definitely spread to different states in Nigeria. In addition, the situation is worsened because of the porous borders Nigeria has with neighboring countries29. Nigeria, whose cities are densely populated is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa and the tenth most populous country in the world. The World Bank and the US Census Bureau in 2013 estimated Nigeria’s population to be 173.6 million people5, 6. According to the US department of state, Nigeria accounts for more than half of the entire West African population7. Unfortunately, an estimated 60 % of the population lives below the poverty line. More than 90% earn less than $2 dollars a day even though Nigeria’s greatest source of revenue is crude oil8. Amongst all the countries in Africa, Nigeria is reported to be the greatest crude oil producer and exporter. Nigeria is the 12th greatest oil producer in the world. Unfortunately, however, these statistics do not translate to the latest ranking by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Human Poverty Index/Scale which suggests that Nigeria is down the ladder8. With a ranking as low as 158 out of 177, more pressing challenges than reducing HIV incidence and infection may have taken center stage. Many reasons are responsible for the myriad of challenges Nigeria faces in tackling the spread of HIV. These have created unnecessary barriers to HIV interventions. Nigeria is a secular state, very diverse, and has over 300 ethnic groups