Key Social Norms Take-aways Social norms—particularly those related to sexual taboos, abstinence expectations, gender roles, and community surveillance—strongly shape adolescents’ access to HIV information and services in Chad. The discussion emphasizes that stigma, fear of judgment, and power imbalances with authority figures discourage care-seeking, while trusted peer networks and youth-friendly environments can help shift norms and enable access. Interventions that leverage peer influence, social networks, and culturally grounded platforms (such as schools and social media) are critical for transforming restrictive norms and improving HIV outcomes.

Objectives This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators influencing youth (aged 15–24 years) access to HIV information and health services in N’Djamena, Chad, and to understand how contextual and social factors shape these pathways.

Methods A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using four focus group discussions (n=48 participants), stratified by gender and participation in a peer education programme. Data were collected using semistructured interview guides and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis with ATLAS.ti software. Social norms were not measured quantitatively but were explored qualitatively through themes such as societal expectations, stigma, gender norms, and power dynamics, as reflected in participants’ perceptions, beliefs, and lived experiences.

Results The study identified five key thematic categories shaping access: societal expectations and norms, power dynamics, social networks, peer education programmes, and system bypassing. Norms-related barriers included sexual taboos, stigma, fear of disclosure, and restrictive gender expectations that limited open discussion and care-seeking. Community-level pressures—such as fear of being recognized in tight-knit communities—further discouraged service use. At the system level, hierarchical provider–patient relationships and gendered discomfort reduced youth engagement with health services. In contrast, facilitators included trusted peer and partner networks, social media, and school-based peer education programmes, which created safe spaces for learning and discussion. Youth often bypassed formal health systems in favor of more anonymous or youth-friendly sources such as NGOs or informal vendors.

Conclusions The study concludes that improving youth access to HIV information and services requires addressing social norms alongside structural barriers. Interventions should prioritize youth-centered, peer-led, and culturally sensitive approaches that build trust, reduce stigma, and challenge restrictive norms. Integrating peer education into schools, leveraging social networks and digital platforms, and creating youth-friendly services are key strategies for shifting norms and improving HIV prevention and care outcomes among young people in Chad.