In a country that has a shortage of specialists in the field, many general nurses do not get the support they need to care for this client group, say Genesis Chorwe-Sungani and colleagues

Aim This study investigated the support that general nurses in the Blantyre District of Malawi receive from mental health specialists when caring for people living with HIV/AIDS who also have psychological and psychiatric conditions.

Method A quantitative descriptive survey design was used. The Mental Health Problems Perception Questionnaire was issued to 109 nurses working in various hospital departments and wards. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results Most of the general nurses do not feel confident about caring for people with HIV/AIDS who have mental health problems and the nurses do not always receive the support they need.

Conclusion Closer collaboration and more networking between general nurses and those with mental health expertise are needed if the skills of general nurses are to be developed and the care given optimised.