Assessment of Attitudes towards People Living with HIV/Aids in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Previous researches has established that awareness and knowledge of HIV/AIDS in Northcentral Nigeria is high, but still people living with HIV/AIDS may face some sort of negative attitudes from family member and non-family members. This work has assessed the level of attitudes (stigmatization and discrimination) faced by people living with HIV in Northcentral Nigeria. HIV-related stigma refers to negative beliefs, feelings and attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS, their families, people who work with them (HIV service providers), and members of groups that have been heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS, such as gay and bisexual men, homeless people, street youth, and mentally ill people while HIV discrimination refers to the unfair and unjust treatment of someone based on their real or perceived HIV status. North central Nigeria consists of six states and the Federal capital territory Abuja. The states are Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi. Secondary data from federal ministry of health is used for the assessment.