Arije, Olujide O.Udoh, Ekerette E.Ijadunola, Kayode T.Afolabi, Olusegun T.Aransiola, Joshua O.Omoregie, GodpowerTomoriAdeleye, OyebukolaUkeme-Edet, ObiarairiukuFajemisin, OluwoleAlaba, OluwatoyinOnayade, Adedeji A.2025-01-212025-01-212022-01-22Arije, O. O., Udoh, E. E., Ijadunola, K. T., Afolabi, O. T., Aransiola, J. O., Omoregie, G., … Onayade, A. A. (2021). Vulnerability to HIV infection among adolescent girls and young women in Nigeria. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 16(3), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2021.1876964https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2021.1876964https://repository.elizadeuniversity.edu.ng/handle/123456789/1496Article, full-textAdolescent girls and young women (AGYW) account for a disproportionate number of new HIV infections among young people living with HIV. This study identified factors associated with the vulnerability of AGYW to HIV infection in Nigeria. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of AGYW aged 15–24 years in three states (Akwa-Ibom, Kaduna, and Oyo) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja in Nigeria. We collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, risky sexual behaviors, practices, attitudes, perceptions of HIV, and related socio-cultural experiences from 4320 respondents. We identified twelve vulnerability factors and used a modified Delphi technique to assign relative weights to each. Composite vulnerability score was calculated by adding the weighted scores on all factors for each respondent and dichotomized using k-median analysis. Higher scores corresponded to higher vulnerability to acquiring HIV. More than 43% had a high vulnerability to HIV infection. Being older, of lower educational status, married, in a lower wealth quintile, and having low self-esteem were statistically significantly associated with being more vulnerable to acquiring HIV. Being knowledgeable about HIV prevention was protective but not statistically significant. We conclude that sociodemographic characteristics and self-esteem are important determinants of vulnerability to acquiring HIV among young women in Nigeria. Interventions targeted to reduce vulnerability to HIV among young women must address social-demographic and psychological risk factors. KEYWORDS: Adolescent girls and young womenHIV vulnerability factorsNigeriaenArticle