Stigmatization and the Predictors of Reported Discrimination among HIV Positive Patients Receiving Care in Hospitals in Imo State, Nigeria

Background: HIV related Stigma and discrimination is a reflection of fear of the unknown, driven by ignorance and helplessness that results in negative attitude, beliefs and unfair treatment towards those living with HIV. Objective: To assess knowledge of stigmatization, prevalence of reported discrimination and the socio-demographic and care predictors of discrimination among HIV positive patients receiving care in Health Care Institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional analytical design using a simple random sampling technique to select 422 HIV positive patients attending the adult HIV clinics from two public health care institutions in Imo State. Data was collected using a pretested semi structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics. Chi square statistics were computed to determine significant relationships and simple binary logistic regression was used to determine predictors of HIV related discrimination. The p-value was set at 0.05 significance level. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 37 ± 6.3 with a male to female ratio of 1:1.7. The overall level of knowledge of stigmatization and discrimination was poor in more than half of the respondents (55.2%). The prevalence of stigmatization and reported discrimination was 33.2% of which, close to two thirds of it occurred among the females (62.9%). The main source of discrimination was from family and relatives (45.0%) with close to half of the respondents having suicidal thoughts after experiencing discrimination (46.4%). The predictors of HIV related discrimination and stigmatization reported in this study were; being within the ages of 26-35 years, (OR 2.16), having at least one or more children (OR: 3.72), residing in their community of origin (2.00), residing in Orlu (OR: 3.77) or Okigwe (OR: 3.29) zones of Imo State, receiving advice to do the HIV test from a health personnel (OR: 2.52) and doing a HIV test and receiving a positive result from a private hospital (OR:2.22) or health centre OR: 2.11). Conclusion: Stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS are created by individuals and communities influenced by socio-demographic and care factors which continues to perpetuate the transmission of HIV; and therefore, it remains an important issue of public health concern that must be addressed.