Abstract
Background: Caring for mental healthcare users (MHCUs) with a comorbid disorder of
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and schizophrenia has always been challenging and
requires expertise, skill, intuition and empathy.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of
psychiatric nurses caring for MHCUs with a comorbid disorder of HIV and schizophrenia.
Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used.
Eight participants were selected through purposive sampling for individual in-depth
interviews to collect data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data.
Results: Three themes emerged from this study. The first theme is that the psychiatric nurses
experienced deep frustration because they were capable but unable to manage MHCUs with
HIV and schizophrenia because of poor infrastructure and other contributing barriers. The
second theme identified that the psychiatric nurses experienced discrimination against
MHCUs compromising their holistic recovery. Lastly, the psychiatric nurses identified the
need for health care workers in general hospitals and communities and families of MHCUs
with a comorbid disorder to be educated in mental health issues to ensure continuous medical
care.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that psychiatric nurses became exhausted when
trying to cope with difficult nursing situations. The challenges they faced had negative
consequences for the mental health of the psychiatric nurses and compromised patient care.
Contribution: This study adds knowledge to nursing practice, nursing education and nursing
research by implementing recommendations to mitigate the challenges of psychiatric nurses
caring for MHCUs with HIV and schizophrenia.