Sjuksköterskors upplevelser av att vårda patienter med HIV/AIDS i Dar es Salaam : En kvalitativ studie utförd på Muhimbili National Hospital och Buguruni Healthcare center, Tanzania

ABSTRACT Background: HIV/AIDS is a worldwide disease and exists documented in over 150 countries. There are 25 million infected people with HIV/AIDS in Africa, those stands for almost 71 % of all infected people around the world. This study is an opportunity to take a more important part of the care process that gives an overview of nurse’s experiences. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe registered nurses experiences of caring for patients with HIV/ AIDS in Dar es Salaam. Method: The study is empirical and it took place at Muhimbili National Hospital and Buguruni Health Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A convenient sample of seven nurses with experiences of caring for patients with HIV/AIDS participated in this study. Their experiences were investigated through interviews. Interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results: Three categories were formulated as the: Importance with a cooperative relationship, importance with confirmatory meetings and Challenges and stressful work condition. The sub-categories were counted as six and formulated as To achieve good cooperation, To create a close relationship, To obtain confirmation as a nurse, Striving to strengthen the patient through education, To manage heavy workload and stress and To manage difficult meetings. Cooperation and close relations are of great importance when it comes to nurse’s experience of caring for patients living with HIV / AIDS. To perceive confirmation and management maintain the high quality of caring. Conclusions: The nurses who participated in the study described their experiences in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS as confirmatory, cooperative and developing. Despite this, these nurses faces intractable challenges and encounters experienced tough and stressful