Background With the introduction of Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy, more HIV/AIDS patients live longer in our communities.

Aim This study was conducted to assess the willingness of people in Lagos to participate in setting up palliative care clubs for these patients.

Methodology Self administered questionnaires were completed by 261 respondents with age ranging from 21–61 years. SPSS version 16 data editor was used to analyse data. Univariate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to evaluate the correlates of willingness to participate (WTP).

Results A total of 62% of the respondents reported that they will be willing to participate in palliative care for the HIV patients. Higher willingness was associated with prior contact with higher education (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02–1.53), present employment (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.45–1.72) and a potential for financial incentives (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.32–1.77). Decreased WTP was associated with concerns about social stigmatisation (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13–0.71) and possibility of rejection by the patients (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.56–0.93).

Conclusion The high level of WTP indicates that such programmes would be better successful if organisers provide incentives as a part of the take-off of this program.