EFFECTS OF STIGMATIZATION ON HEALTH CARE SEEKING BEHAVIOUR BY PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN THE FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, LOKOJA (2020-2026)

Stigmatization remains a persistent barrier to effective HIV prevention, treatment, and care, particularly within institutional healthcare settings where discriminatory practices subtly undermine patient engagement. This study examined the effects of stigmatization on healthcare-seeking behaviour by people living with HIV/AIDS in Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated factors contributing to discriminatory experiences, assessed how stigma undermines disclosure, treatment adherence and clinic attendance and identified intervention strategies capable of mitigating institutional and community-level stigmatization. The study was anchored on Modified Labeling Theory, which explains how societal labeling and anticipated rejection shape behavioural responses. A mixed-methods descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised registered PLHIV attending the ART clinic and selected healthcare providers, from which a sample of 384 respondents was drawn using systematic and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Multiple Linear Regression, and Chi-Square tests at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that stigma-related factors significantly predicted discriminatory experiences (β = 0.392, p < 0.05), while fear of stigma significantly undermined healthcare-seeking behaviour (β = –0.412, p < 0.05). and intervention strategies significantly improved healthcare engagement (β = 0.421, p < 0.05). The study concluded that stigmatization significantly influences discrimination and healthcare utilization patterns among PLHIV. It recommended among others strengthened institutional policies, gender-responsive interventions, and sustained community-based stigma reduction programs.