Background: Youth living with HIV/AIDS and those with early onset of substance use (cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, cannabis) are among high-risk groups for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Since the prevalences of suicidal ideation, HIV/AIDS, alcohol and illicit drug use are relatively high among young people in Botswana, it is critical to get an insight into a possible difference in prevalence and predictors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts between substance users and non-users among youth living with HIV/AIDS, who are treated at Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are: to compare the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts between the two groups: substance users and non-users as well as to identify predictors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in those groups among HIV-infected youth treated in Botswana-Baylor Centre.

Main Outcome measure: the main outcome measures of the current study is suicidal ideation and suicide attempts measured in frequencies against substance use as well as all other independent variables.

Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study that will employ a modified Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System tool along with the Oslo Social Support Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to achieve the above-mentioned study objectives. A structured questionnaire will be administered face-to-face to 15–24-year-old youth living with HIV/AIDS treated at Botswana-Baylor Centre.

Innovation: To the best of my knowledge, this is the first study in Botswana that will determine and compare the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts between substance users and non-users among youth living with HIV/AIDS.

Dissemination of results: The final report will be availed to the University of Botswana, disseminated to Ministry of Health and Wellness of Botswana and Botswana-Baylor Centre and published in peer reviewed journals.