ArticleBMC public health2025
Enhancing HIV self-testing uptake among university students in Rwanda: the proportion, barriers, and opportunities.
Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- An integrated HIV and chronic disease intervention to reduce HIV infection risk among older men who have sex with men in China: a randomized controlled trial.BMC public health · 2026Trial
- Predictive analysis of influencing factors on HIV testing behavior among college students in Shanxi, China.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Empowering Vulnerable Communities Through HIV Self-Testing: Post-COVID-19 Strategies for Health Promotion in Sub-Saharan Africa.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Article
- TELEHEALTH and digital health platforms in promoting access to sexual reproductive health self care among youth: A case of rocket health services in Uganda.PLOS digital health · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
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Abstract
introductionUniversity students in Rwanda are at high risk for HIV, yet they have a low uptake of HIV self-testing, which is crucial for HIV diagnosis and prevention. This study investigated their knowledge, behaviors, and perceptions towards HIV self-testing, highlighting the barriers and opportunities whose consideration is necessary for the improvement of HIV self-testing uptake in this population.
methodA concurrent mixed-method design was used, and it involved 424 students from five universities across Rwanda. Quantitative data was collected through surveys, and descriptive statistics were performed. Chi-square tests were performed, and sociodemographic variables were stratified against the awareness of HIV self-testing and HIV self-testing for the past 12 months variables. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions using interview guides developed based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework; data was then analyzed thematically.
resultsThe mean age was 23 (IQR: 21; 24), with 51.2% (n = 214/424) females. 64.7% (n = 261/424) of students had never heard of HIV self-testing, yet 37.74% (160/424) were sexually active. Among sexually active students, 17.87% were aware of HIV self-testing, but 35.82% had never used it. The reported perceived HIV self-testing barriers include high cost, unavailability of testing kits, lack of awareness, misinformation, and absence of post-test counseling. However, some HIV self-testing opportunities, like the availability of testing kits and motivating factors for university students to test, were also reported.
conclusionAlthough university students reported the needs and benefits of HIV self-testing, uptake remains low due to misinformation, unawareness, unavailability, and the high cost of HIV self-testing kits. Increasing awareness, availing HIVST kits, and addressing the other reported barriers to HIV self-testing, is essential for the achievement of the universal goal of HIV status awareness among university students.
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