Attitudinal dispositions and perceived bariers toward PrEP uptake among military personnel in Abuja, Nigeria

Nigeria continues to face a rising HIV/AIDS burden, particularly among military personnel exposed to extended deployments, high mobility, and psychosocial stressors that contribute to risky sexual behaviors. Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce HIV acquisition by over 90% when taken daily, its uptake among Nigerian military personnel remains underexplored. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 military personnel stationed in Abuja, employing stratified random sampling across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Data was collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire that assessed knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers related to PrEP. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics, while Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses explored associations between socio-demographic factors and PrEP outcomes, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results indicated a predominantly male participants (70%) with a median age of 34 years. Positive attitudes were observed regarding PrEP’s efficacy (mean = 3.1, σ = 0.89) and its promotion (mean = 3.2, σ = 0.77), yet 63% of respondents had never considered its use. Significant associations were identified between attitudes toward PrEP and demographic factors including gender (χ2 = 41.26, p = 0.032), service arm (χ2 = 42.26, p = 0.003), rank (χ2 = 36.27, p = 0.014), years of service (χ2 = 64.38, p = 0.001), and marital status (χ2 = 45.61, p = 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that concern over family and friends discovering PrEP usage significantly reduced uptake (β = 0.244, Exp(B) = 1.276, p = 0.037). Findings from this study highlight the urgent need for targeted educational campaigns, specialized provider training, and tailored interventions to reduce stigma and improve PrEP accessibility within the Nigerian Armed Forces, ultimately contributing to reduced HIV incidence and enhanced military readiness.