Nurses’ Experiences of Caring for People Living with HIV/AIDS in Karo, North Sumatra: A Qualitative Study

Background: As HIV cases rise in Karo Regency, nurses face challenges including fear of infection, care barriers, and stigma. Despite this, no international studies examine nurses’ experiences through Karo culture-based spiritual interventions. This study explores nurses’ experiences, challenges, motivations, and culturally informed care within Karo cultural and spiritual values. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling. Researchers conducted face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 participants. Data were collected in hospital and primary healthcare settings in Kabanjahe District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, and analyzed manually using conventional content analysis, then reported in accordance with COREQ standards. Results: Six themes emerged: Fear in Caring for People Living with HIV/AIDS; Meaning and Motivation in Caring for People Living with HIV/AIDS; Barriers in Caring for People Living with HIV/AIDS; Family and Community Support in HIV Care; Knowledge and Skills in HIV Nursing Care; and Cultural Context and Its Impact on HIV Care. Despite fears of infection and stigma, nurses remained committed to providing compassionate care. Challenges included limited protocols, heavy workloads, and persistent stigma, while family, church support, and Karo cultural values shaped care practices. Conclusion: Nurses' lived experiences highlight complex interactions among professional duties, cultural values, and institutional challenges. Integrating Karo cultural values and spiritual support offers pathways for culturally responsive care that may potentially support person-centered care and inform strategies to address barriers to treatment adherence