Background HIV-related stigma and discrimination continue to be major social determinants driving the epidemic of HIV globally despite the advances in medical treatment and increases in the awareness. Hypotheses tested was right awareness of people living with HIV/AIDS influencing HIV-related stigma & discrimination. The study aimed at assessing the level of HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination, forms, effects, and internal stigma experienced by PLHIVs in South-Western Nigeria.

Methods This cross sectional study was carried out at eight PEPFAR supported primary, secondary and tertiary level hospitals in South-Western Nigeria. The target population was adult (18 years and above) male and female persons living with HIV (PLHIVs) including key population. Data was collected from 278 consenting respondents by trained volunteers by a face-to-face interview.

Results The mean age ± SD of the respondents was 38.48 ± 11.48 years, 70.05% females, mostly married in a monogamous setting (48.6%), with a formal education (86.3%), traders (33.5%), live in rural area (88.5%) while people in the key populations accounted for 9.4% of the participants. 78.4% elicited negative feelings such as depression and shame after diagnosis. About one-third (33.1%) PLHIVs have ever experienced HIV-related stigma and discrimination mostly gossip, physical abuse, and verbal insult, of which about two-third (63.2%) occurred in the hospital setting, followed by home/community (25.0%). In addition, 8.6% have been refused a job while 5.0% have lost their job because of their HIV status. Rights awareness by PLHIVs does not rule out HIV-related stigma & discrimination experience (χ² = 5.29, df = 1, P = 0.021).

Conclusion A remarkable proportion of PLHIV still face stigma/discrimination with possible dramatic impact on their treatment and resultant quality of life. Efforts therefore, should be made to ensure PLHIV are not only aware of their rights, but are empowered to seek redress if these rights are violated.

Disclosure No significant relationships.