HIV/AIDS- related stigma and testing behavior among Nigerian college students

Background: HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) remains an effective prevention strategy. However, utilization of HIV VCT is still constrained because of anticipated stigma and actual experiences of people living with HIV. HIV/AIDS- related stigma and discrimination impede both the willingness and ability to adopt preventive behaviors. This study assessed association between HIV/AIDS-related stigma and testing behavior among a sample of Nigerian college students.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire among 226 Nigerian college students (mean age 24.4 years). Descriptive statistics, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were carried out to analyze the study data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows version 20.

Results: About 76% of the participants had not tested for HIV. Endorsement of HIV/AIDS-related stigma was negatively associated with HIV testing. Students who had not tested for HIV exhibited significantly greater stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. A relatively higher percentage (61%) of the respondents had stigma scores above the mean stigma score, indicating endorsement of HIV/AIDS-related stigma among the study participants. Specific analyses of the stigma items showed that HIV testing behavior was significantly associated with perception that people living with HIV/AIDS experience discrimination.

Conclusion: Findings of this study underscore the need for strategic interventions aimed at reducing the level of anticipated HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination among Nigerian college students who had not tested for HIV.