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

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.