Disability Inclusivity in HIV Prevention, Testing, Treatment, and Care Services in Nigeria: An Evidence Gap Review

Background: Persons with disabilities face multiple barriers to accessing HIV services, yet evidence on disability inclusivity within HIV service delivery in Nigeria remains fragmented. This review aimed to identify, map, and synthesise available evidence on disability inclusivity across HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care services in Nigeria. Methods: An evidence gap review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for scoping reviews and reported according to PRISMA-ScR. Searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, CINAHL, HMIC, Google Scholar, and relevant grey literature sources from database inception to 1 June 2026. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and appraised methodological quality using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Findings were synthesized narratively and supported by evidence mapping. Results: Ten studies published between 2007 and 2026 met the inclusion criteria. Evidence was concentrated among adolescents with intellectual disabilities (50%) and hearing impairments (30%). Nine studies (90%) focused on HIV prevention, education, and information access, whereas only two studies addressed HIV treatment and care. Key barriers included communication challenges, stigma and discrimination, inadequate provider preparedness, and weak disability-responsive programming. Evidence relating to disability-disaggregated outcomes, HIV treatment, retention in care, and policy implementation was limited. Conclusion: Evidence on disability-inclusive HIV service delivery in Nigeria remains limited and unevenly distributed. Strengthening disability-inclusive policies, accessible services, disability-disaggregated monitoring systems, and implementation research is essential to support equitable HIV service delivery.