Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42569013›Full record

ArticleBMJ public health2026

Perceived barriers and facilitators to the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-to-peer (P2P) HIV self-testing distribution model among adolescents and young people aged 15-24 years in Uganda: a qualitative study.

Denis Ndekezi, Richard Muhumuza, Jackline Namara, Rehema Nagawa, Esther Awino, Felix Rutaro, Joanita Nassali, Andrew Sentoogo Ssemata

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Article in BMJ public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Denis NdekeziDepartment of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9875-1667
Richard MuhumuzaSocial Determinants of Health, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.
Jackline NamaraSocial Determinants of Health, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.
Rehema NagawaSocial Determinants of Health, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.
Esther AwinoSocial Determinants of Health, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.
Felix RutaroSocial Determinants of Health, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.
Joanita NassaliData and Statistics, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.
Andrew Sentoogo SsemataDepartment of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0060-0842

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Peer-to-peer HIV self-testing (HIVST) has shown promise in addressing barriers to HIV testing challenges by leveraging social networks and peer influence to promote health-seeking behaviours. Objective: To explore the perceived feasibility and acceptability of the peer-to-peer HIVST distribution model among adolescents and young people aged 15-24 years in Uganda. Methods: We conducted a descriptive exploratory qualitative study in Wakiso District, Uganda. Data were collected through six focus group discussions (n=68) and 14 in-depth interviews, including interviews with peer leaders. Participants were purposively recruited through community meetings with support from Village Health Teams. Discussions explored perceptions of peer-to-peer HIVST distribution, including potential barriers and facilitators. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants perceived the peer-to-peer HIVST distribution model as both feasible and acceptable. Key facilitators of feasibility included peer trust, structured training, community-based delivery and integration with existing health structures. Perceived barriers included logistical constraints, inadequate supervision, kit storage challenges and concerns about equitable reach. Acceptability was driven by trust, confidentiality, emotional support, autonomy and the relatability of peer distributors. However, concerns about gossip, stigma, confidentiality breaches and the emotional burden placed on peer distributors were identified as potential barriers to sustained acceptability. Conclusion: Peer-to-peer HIVST distribution was perceived as a feasible and acceptable approach for increasing HIV testing among adolescents and young people. Future implementation efforts should strengthen peer training and supervision, address confidentiality and stigma concerns, provide psychosocial support for peer distributors, and ensure equitable access for socially marginalised adolescents.

Indexed as

AdolescentHIVQualitative Research

Identifiers

PMID42569013
PMCPMC13448566

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.