Exploring Nurses’ Lived Experiences in Addressing HIV-Related Stigma in Clinical Practice

Abstract

HIV-related stigma remains a significant barrier to equitable and patient-centered healthcare, particularly within clinical settings where people living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to experience discrimination and social marginalization. This qualitative phenomenological study explored nurses’ lived experiences in addressing HIV-related stigma in clinical practice and the challenges they encounter in providing stigma-free care. The study was conducted in selected public and private hospitals in Naga City, Philippines, and involved purposively sampled registered nurses with at least one year of experience in caring for PLHIV. Data were gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic phenomenological procedures. Findings revealed that nurses encountered both subtle and overt forms of stigma embedded in routine clinical interactions and institutional practices. Nurses demonstrated strong moral responsibility and professional commitment to equitable care, actively resisting stigmatizing behaviors through ethical reflection, respectful communication, and patient advocacy. However, addressing stigma required substantial emotional labor, which accumulated over time and contributed to emotional strain. Major challenges included limited institutional support and training, as well as fear of social judgment and professional repercussions when confronting stigmatizing practices. The study concludes that HIV-related stigma in clinical practice is a socially and institutionally constructed phenomenon that cannot be addressed through individual ethics alone. System-level interventions, supportive leadership, and stigma-sensitive training are essential to sustain compassionate, ethical, and stigma-free nursing care.