Background
Nigeria has an estimated 3.6 million people with HIV/AIDS and is home to one out of every
11 people with HIV/AIDS worldwide. This study is the first population-based assessment of
discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in the health sector of a country. The
purpose of this study was to characterize the nature and extent of discriminatory practices and
attitudes in the health sector and indicate possible contributing factors and intervention
strategies. The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 1,021 Nigerian health-care
professionals (including 324 physicians, 541 nurses, and 133 midwives identified by profession)
in 111 health-care facilities in four Nigerian states.