Effects of stigmatization/discrimination on antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV-infected patients in a rural tertiary medical center in Nigeria.

Introduction: Stigmatization and discrimination impact negatively on interventions and act as barriers to all HIV/AIDS activities. This study assessed the relationship between stigmatization and discrimination and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected patients attending the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among respondents selected by systematic random sampling. Structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data subsequently analyzed with SPSS 16.

Results: A total of 100 respondents comprising 61 (61.0%) female participants were interviewed. A large proportion, 92.0%, had a low level of stigmatization. In all, 88 (88.0%) had a good level of antiretroviral adherence using a threshold of >95%. More people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) with low stigmatization and discrimination had good adherence to ART (P < .001).

Conclusion: The PLWHAs with low levels of stigmatization and discrimination are more likely to adhere to ART than those with high levels. Counseling services and health education on adherence should be a strong component of all PLWHA care.