title: Effects of stigmatization/discrimination on antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV-infected patients in a rural tertiary medical center in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olusegun Emmanuel
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Omosanya
authors.forename: Olayide Toyin
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Elegbede
authors.forename: Segun Matthew
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Agboola
authors.forename: Ayodeji Olusola
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Isinkaye
authors.forename: Olusoji Adegoke
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Omopariola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011287:Prejudice; D012424:Rural Population; D057545:Social Stigma; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: HIV/AIDS; PLWHAs; adherence; discrimination; stigmatization