Too ashamed for the clinic: Why young Nigerians self-treat STIs

When 23-year-old Mirian noticed unusual discharge and persistent itching, her first reaction was not to seek medical help. It was to stay silent. At the time, she was living in Nigeria’s economic capital, Lagos. Newly graduated from university, she feared what the symptoms might mean. Even more, she feared what others might think.

“I was scared,” she said quietly. “I didn’t want to go to a hospital where someone might recognize me. I’ve heard stories of nurses judging young girls.”

Instead, she turned to a friend for advice and later visited a nearby chemist shop. After describing her symptoms, she was given a combination of drugs. For a few days, the discomfort eased. Within weeks, however, the symptoms returned. 

Mirian’s experience is not isolated. Across Nigeria, many young people are choosing to treat Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) on their own rather than seek professional care. This is often accompanied with risky consequences.

Fear, stigma and the decision to stay away

For many young Nigerians, the decision to avoid clinics is shaped by stigma. Fear of judgment and concerns about confidentiality are also of concern. Discussions around sexual health remain sensitive, especially for unmarried young people. 

“I didn’t want anyone asking me questions,” Mirian said. “At that time, fear and shame just took over.”

Chinagorom is a 26-year-old small business owner in Enugu, eastern Nigeria. He faced a similar dilemma when he began experiencing a burning sensation while urinating.

“I just wanted a quick solution so I could continue my work,” he said. “I didn’t feel comfortable discussing something like that face-to-face with a doctor.”

According to the World Health Organization more than one million STIs are acquired globally every day. Of these numbers, young people are among the most affected. In Nigeria, young people remain particularly vulnerable. This is mainly due to gaps in access to youth-friendly sexual health services.

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS says awareness of HIV and related health issues is relatively high among adolescents and young people in Nigeria. However, access to confidential and non-judgmental services remains uneven, especially outside major cities.

These gaps leave many young people feeling that avoiding clinics is the safer option. Even when it puts their health at risk.

Easy access to drugs and the dangers of self-treatment

With clinics avoided, many young people turn to chemist shops as their first point of care.

“It happens frequently,” said Faith Madu, a chemist shop owner. “Young people come with symptoms like itching or discharge. Some are even shy to talk to me when they come.”  

Many already have drugs in mind, often based on advice from friends or online sources.

“Some ask for medicines like Flagyl or Doxycycline because someone recommended them,” she explained. But treating STIs without proper diagnosis can be ineffective or harmful. “Others just describe symptoms and expect you to suggest something.”

This approach may provide temporary relief. But it rarely addresses the root cause of the infection. “In some cases, it reduces the symptoms, but it doesn’t treat the infection properly,” he said. “That’s why people come back again after some weeks.”

Health experts warn that self-medication can lead to incorrect treatment. It can also lead to incomplete dosage, and growing antibiotic resistance.

“We often see cases where infections were not properly treated,” said Juliana Ugwuanyi, a sexual health clinician. “Some patients only come in when the condition has already worsened.”

Untreated STIs can lead to serious complications. These include pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pain, and infertility. The World Health Organization asserts that untreated STIs also increase the risk of both acquiring and transmitting HIV.

“STIs can cause sores or inflammation. This makes it easier for HIV to enter the body,” Ugwuanyi explained. UNAIDS also notes that untreated STIs can increase the risk of HIV transmission.

For Chinagorom, the experience left uncertainty. “The symptoms reduced, but I’m not sure it cleared completely,” he admitted. “I just stopped taking the drugs when I felt better.”

Bridging the gap in youth-friendly sexual health services

Experts say the continued reliance on self-medication points to deeper structural issues in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

While policies exist to support sexual and reproductive health, implementation remains inconsistent. The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has identified the need to strengthen youth-friendly services and improve access to confidential care.

“Many young people are afraid of being judged,” the clinician said. “They also worry that their information may not be kept private.” 

HIV in focus

This news story has been published as part of our HIV in focus news network. This is a network of writers and journalists from our focus countries, dedicated to delivering news on HIV and sexual health. The network aims to amplify the voices of communities most affected by HIV and share the stories that matter to them.

About the writer

John Chukwu is a Nigerian freelance journalist reporting on politics, climate and environmental justice, health, technology, media, development, and human rights across sub-Saharan Africa. His work, often focused on grassroots voices and underreported communities, has appeared in several international publications, such as Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), Global Sisters Report (GSR), Nieman Reports, Al Jazeera Journalism Review, Foreign Policy, International Journalists’ Network (IJNet), among others.