Stigma and suicidality among people living with HIV attending a secondary healthcare facility in Nigeria

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2019 Oct;55(4):538-545. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12321. Epub 2018 Sep 1.

Abstract

Purpose: To ascertain the relationship between HIV-related stigma and suicidality among people living with HIV receiving care at a hospital in Nigeria.

Design and methods: Four hundred and ten participants were administered a socio-demographic and clinical history questionnaire, the 40-item Berger's HIV-stigma scale, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to diagnose suicidality and depression in a cross-sectional study.

Findings: Fifty-four (13.2%) reported suicidality; suicidal ideation was commonest and suicide plans least, in the month preceding the study. Higher suicidality risk was significantly associated with stigma (P < 0.001) and major depressive disorder ( P < 0.001).

Practice implications: Suicidality is common and is associated with HIV-related stigma.

Keywords: HIV; Nigeria; depression; stigma; suicidality.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Comorbidity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Secondary Care
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Suicide / psychology*
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data