Introduction Starting 2006, a number of HIV cases were seen in the Philippines. It is one of nine countries with increasing cases according to USAIDS. Thus, the Filipino healthcare worker must possess accurate knowledge on the transmission, prevention and nature of HIV/AIDS, appropriate attitude and healthy coping with the demands of caring for an HIV/AIDS patient. This study determined the knowledge, attitude and coping of healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines.

Methods A self-administered survey was used to test four concepts: socio-demographic characteristics of healthcare workers, knowledge about HIV/AIDS, attitude towards caring for HIV/AIDS patients and coping.

Results Out of 101 respondents were 41% males and 59% females. Mostly are aged 20–29 years (76%), single (83%), registered nurses (45%) and resident doctors-in-training (30%). Majority were employed in the hospital for 1–5 years (55%). Respondents’ knowledge on HIV was insufficient (mean score = 16.69, 76% correct answers, SD = 2.39). Healthcare workers scored highest on transmission and nature of the disease (78–79%) but scored lowest on prevention (72%). Half of respondents disagreed about stigmatising attitudes of HIV patients (45–54%). Majority of respondents’ attitudes disagreed on non-caring behaviours for HIV/AIDS patients. Coping views of healthcare workers are medium level (mean score = 3.5). There was significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.356, a = 0.05): knowledge and coping (r = 0.259, a = 0.05); and attitude and coping (r = 0.709, a = 0.05) of healthcare workers. There was no difference in the knowledge (P two tailed = 0.3, p = 0.05), attitudes (P two-tailed = 0.31, p = 0.05) and coping (P Two-tailed = 0.69, p = 0.05) of respondents working for <1 years and 1–5 years.

Conclusion In conclusion, there is insufficient knowledge on HIV/AIDS of healthcare workers. Implementing strategies like trainings and updates are needed to increase knowledge. Training must focus on knowledge of transmission, prevention, and nature of HIV/AIDS, could result in positive attitudes and healthy coping of healthcare workers.