HIV Stigma and Discrimination in Nigeria: Implications for HIV Testing Uptake

Despite progress in HIV care in Nigeria, stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers to HIV testing. Stigma manifests in negative attitudes and beliefs, while discrimination is expressed in rejection, social exclusion, or workplace prejudice. These barriers discourage individuals from seeking testing, thereby delaying diagnosis and treatment. Understanding how stigma influences testing uptake is critical for achieving epidemic control (Hargreaves et al., 2020; Whitehead et al., 2021). A cross-sectional survey of 500 adults (aged 18–49 years) was conducted in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano states between January and March 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographics, perceived stigma, and HIV testing history. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for analysis. Of 500 respondents, 280 (56%) were female and 220 (44%) male, with a mean age of 30.4 years (SD = 8.2). Only 210 (42%) had ever tested for HIV. High perceived stigma was reported by 315 (63%) respondents, of whom only 28% had tested for HIV, compared with 69% of those reporting low stigma (p < 0.001). Major reasons for avoiding testing included fear of discrimination (41%), fear of partner rejection (29%), and anticipated workplace exclusion (12%). HIV stigma and discrimination continue to undermine testing uptake in Nigeria. This study highlights the need for multi-level interventions, including strengthened community sensitisation, confidential HIV self-testing options (Ogunbajo et al., 2019), stigma-reduction training for health workers (Adegboye et al., 2019), and enforcement of anti-discrimination workplace and legal protections (World Bank, 2022). Experiences from clinical practice in Delta State and UBTH indicate that lack of awareness and inadequate orientation campaigns fuel stigma, further underscoring the need for sustained community education (Njoku et al., 2020).