In Nigeria, there was legislation against stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV (the Anti-discrimination Act, 2014) after a 2010 HIV stigma index survey by the Network of people living with HIV in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), however a follow up on study in 2015 still concluded that stigma and discrimination was still high ranging from 5.2% to 25.8%.
The effects of the foregoing is that there is low utilization of HIV services due to internalized stigma, lowered self-esteem, depression, and negative changes in behavior (e.g., not using the available services) because of the fear of stigma and discrimination at the community level and healthcare settings. People refuse or delay testing for HIV and to access healthcare services.