Psychological distress is increasingly recognized as a barrier to engagement in HIV care, resulting in poor HIV outcomes. HIV-related stigma is a potential driver of distress in people living with HIV (PLWH). We conducted a prospective cohort study in 288 PLWH who newly initiated ART in a Nigeria. We assessed overall stigma (range 40-160) and four stigma subtypes (personalized, disclosure, negative self-image, and public stigma) at enrollment, and assessed psychological distress at enrollment, 6, and 12-months after ART initiation. We used logistic regression to assess the relationship between stigma and 12-month psychological distress. Overall stigma was high (102.34 ± 5.65) and was higher in both unmarried patients (p < 0.01) and those who had not disclosed their HIV status to anyone at enrollment (p < 0.01). Higher overall stigma (OR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.00-1.09) and personalized stigma (OR:1.08, 95% CI 1.00-1.16) were associated with higher odds of psychological distress at 12-months. Conclusions: Overall stigma levels were high in a cohort of PLWH initiating care in Nigeria. Higher stigma was associated with psychological distress. These data support the need for integration of measures to reduce stigma and psychological distress in the care of PLWH.
Keywords: HIV; psychological distress; stigma.