{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T00:16:52Z","timestamp":1788135412348,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,18]],"date-time":"2026-06-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1781740800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788134400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":74,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Infect Dis"],"DOI":"10.1186\/s12879-026-13740-6","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,18]],"date-time":"2026-06-18T10:35:49Z","timestamp":1781778949000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["HIV self-testing and its associated factors among nursing and medical university students: A cross-sectional study in EasternUganda"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"26","author":[{"given":"Winnie","family":"Nambi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rose Chalo","family":"Nabirye","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Samuel","family":"Olowo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Brenda","family":"Nabawanuka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tracy Alexis","family":"Kakyo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Munanura","family":"Turyasiima","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gloria","family":"Nakato","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mary","family":"Aleni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ivan","family":"Lume","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Prossy","family":"Nabachenje","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Joshua","family":"Epuitai","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,18]]},"reference":[{"key":"13740_CR1","unstructured":"UNAIDS. Fact Sheet 2025. 2025. Last accessed on 4th May 2026 from https:\/\/www.unaids.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-07\/2025_Global_HIV_Factsheet_en.pdf."},{"key":"13740_CR2","unstructured":"Uganda AIDS Commission. Abridged 2025 Uganda HIV and AIDS Factsheet. Last accessed on 4th May 2025 from Abridged 2025 HIV Factsheet. 2025."},{"key":"13740_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1470","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(19)30404-8","volume":"7","author":"SSA Karim","year":"2019","unstructured":"Karim SSA, Baxter C. HIV incidence rates in adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa. Lancet Global Health. 2019;7:e1470\u20131.","journal-title":"Lancet Global Health"},{"key":"13740_CR4","unstructured":"UNAIDS Understanding Fast Track. Accelerating action to end the AIDS Epidemic by 2030. Last accessed on 4th May 2026. https:\/\/www.unaids.org\/sites\/default\/files\/media_asset\/201506_JC2743_Understanding_FastTrack_en.pdf."},{"key":"13740_CR5","unstructured":"MOH. National HIV Testing Services Policy and Implementation Guidelines. Ministry of Health. 5th Edition. 2022. Last accessed on 4th May 2026 from https:\/\/library.health.go.ug\/communicable-disease\/hivaids\/national-hiv-testing-services-policy-and-implementation-guidelines-2."},{"key":"13740_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e284","DOI":"10.1016\/S2352-3018(20)30315-5","volume":"8","author":"K Gigu\u00e8re","year":"2021","unstructured":"Gigu\u00e8re K, Eaton JW, Marsh K, Johnson LF, Johnson CC, et al. Trends in knowledge of HIV status and efficiency of HIV testing services in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000\u201320: a modelling study using survey and HIV testing programme data. Lancet HIV. 2021;8:e284\u201393.","journal-title":"Lancet HIV"},{"key":"13740_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0164052","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0164052","volume":"11","author":"IO Asaolu","year":"2016","unstructured":"Asaolu IO, Gunn JK, Center KE, Koss MP, Iwelunmor JI, et al. Predictors of HIV testing among youth in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE. 2016;11:e0164052.","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"key":"13740_CR8","unstructured":"UNICEF Adolescent HIV prevention. https:\/\/data.unicef.org\/topic\/hivaids\/adolescents-young-people\/. Last accessed on 22nd April 2026."},{"key":"13740_CR9","volume-title":"Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2022","author":"Uganda Bureau of Statistcs","year":"2023","unstructured":"Uganda Bureau of Statistcs. Uganda demographic and health survey 2022. Kampala, Uganda: UBOS; 2023."},{"key":"13740_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"369","DOI":"10.1186\/s12875-024-02612-0","volume":"25","author":"E Zeleke","year":"2024","unstructured":"Zeleke E, Stephens J, Gesesew H, Gello B, Ziersch A. Acceptability and use of HIV self-testing among young people in sub-Saharan Africa: A mixed methods systematic review. BMC Prim Care. 2024;25:369.","journal-title":"BMC Prim Care"},{"key":"13740_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-019-4847-x","volume":"19","author":"U Nwaozuru","year":"2019","unstructured":"Nwaozuru U, Iwelunmor J, Ong JJ, Salah S, Obiezu-Umeh C, et al. Preferences for HIV testing services among young people in Nigeria. BMC Health Serv Res. 2019;19:1\u20139.","journal-title":"BMC Health Serv Res"},{"key":"13740_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1186\/s12981-022-00484-x","volume":"19","author":"I Segawa","year":"2022","unstructured":"Segawa I, Bakeera-Kitaka S, Ssebambulidde K, Muwonge TR, Oriokot L, et al. Factors associated with HIV self-testing among female university students in Uganda: a cross-sectional study. AIDS Res Therapy. 2022;19:59.","journal-title":"AIDS Res Therapy"},{"key":"13740_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"497","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jadohealth.2020.07.007","volume":"68","author":"I Inwani","year":"2021","unstructured":"Inwani I, Chhun N, Agot K, Cleland CM, Rao SO, et al. Preferred HIV testing modalities among adolescent girls and young women in Kenya. J Adolesc Health. 2021;68:497\u2013507.","journal-title":"J Adolesc Health"},{"key":"13740_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1259","DOI":"10.1080\/09540121.2022.2050176","volume":"35","author":"BO Olakunde","year":"2023","unstructured":"Olakunde BO, Alemu D, Conserve DF, Mathai M, Mak\u2019anyengo MO, et al. Awareness of and willingness to use oral HIV self-test kits among Kenyan young adults living in informal urban settlements: a cross-sectional survey. AIDS Care. 2023;35:1259\u201369.","journal-title":"AIDS Care"},{"key":"13740_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-020-10072-1","volume":"21","author":"C Obiezu-Umeh","year":"2021","unstructured":"Obiezu-Umeh C, Gbajabiamila T, Ezechi O, Nwaozuru U, Ong JJ, et al. Young people\u2019s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysis. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:67.","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"13740_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S203","DOI":"10.1097\/QAD.0000000000001516","volume":"31","author":"PP Indravudh","year":"2017","unstructured":"Indravudh PP, Sibanda EL, d\u2019Elb\u00e9e M, Kumwenda MK, Ringwald B, et al. I will choose when to test, where I want to test\u2019: investigating young people\u2019s preferences for HIV self-testing in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Aids. 2017;31:S203\u201312.","journal-title":"Aids"},{"key":"13740_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"443","DOI":"10.1177\/1049732320978392","volume":"31","author":"J Wachinger","year":"2021","unstructured":"Wachinger J, Kibuuka Musoke D, Oldenburg CE, B\u00e4rnighausen T, Ortblad KF, et al. But i gathered my courage: HIV self-testing as a pathway of empowerment among Ugandan female sex workers. Qual Health Res. 2021;31:443\u201357.","journal-title":"Qual Health Res"},{"key":"13740_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-020-10072-1","volume":"21","author":"C Obiezu-Umeh","year":"2021","unstructured":"Obiezu-Umeh C, Gbajabiamila T, Ezechi O, Nwaozuru U, Ong JJ, et al. Young people\u2019s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysis. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:1\u20139.","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"13740_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1186\/s12981-020-00311-1","volume":"17","author":"PA Vara","year":"2020","unstructured":"Vara PA, Buhulula LS, Mohammed FA, Njau B. Level of knowledge, acceptability, and willingness to use oral fluid HIV self-testing among medical students in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania: a descriptive cross-sectional study. AIDS Res Therapy. 2020;17:56.","journal-title":"AIDS Res Therapy"},{"key":"13740_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"560","DOI":"10.1007\/s10461-017-1848-9","volume":"22","author":"C Harichund","year":"2018","unstructured":"Harichund C, Moshabela M. Acceptability of HIV self-testing in sub-Saharan Africa: scoping study. AIDS Behav. 2018;22:560\u20138.","journal-title":"AIDS Behav"},{"key":"13740_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0253745","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0253745","volume":"16","author":"AL Koris","year":"2021","unstructured":"Koris AL, Stewart KA, Ritchwood TD, Mususa D, Ncube G, et al. Youth-friendly HIV self-testing: Acceptability of campus-based oral HIV self-testing among young adult students in Zimbabwe. PLoS ONE. 2021;16:e0253745.","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"key":"13740_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Iliyasu Z, Haladu ZA, Iliyasu BZ, Kwaku AA, Nass NS et al. A qualitative study of HIV testing experiences and HIV self-testing perspectives among men in Northern Nigeria. Nurs Res Pract. 2024.","DOI":"10.1155\/2024\/8810141"},{"key":"13740_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"594298","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2021.594298","volume":"9","author":"A Hamilton","year":"2021","unstructured":"Hamilton A, Thompson N, Choko AT, Hlongwa M, Jolly P, et al. HIV self-testing uptake and intervention strategies among men in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Front Public Health. 2021;9:594298.","journal-title":"Front public health"},{"key":"13740_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2458-13-735","volume":"13","author":"J Krause","year":"2013","unstructured":"Krause J, Subklew-Sehume F, Kenyon C, Colebunders R. Acceptability of HIV self-testing: a systematic literature review. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:1\u20139.","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"13740_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0285003","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0285003","volume":"18","author":"D Aizobu","year":"2023","unstructured":"Aizobu D, Wada YH, Anyanti J, Omoregie G, Adesina B, et al. Enablers and barriers to effective HIV self-testing in the private sector among sexually active youths in Nigeria: A qualitative study using journey map methodology. PLoS ONE. 2023;18:e0285003.","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"key":"13740_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"497","DOI":"10.1007\/s10461-017-1707-8","volume":"22","author":"DR Stevens","year":"2018","unstructured":"Stevens DR, Vrana CJ, Dlin RE, Korte JE. A global review of HIV self-testing: themes and implications. AIDS Behav. 2018;22:497\u2013512.","journal-title":"AIDS Behav"},{"key":"13740_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0330000","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0330000","volume":"21","author":"R Muhumuza","year":"2026","unstructured":"Muhumuza R, Ndekezi D, Nagawa R, Awino E, Bwalya C, et al. Navigating HIV self-testing: Concerns among adolescents and young people aged 15\u201324 years in Uganda. An exploratory qualitative study. PLoS ONE. 2026;21:e0330000.","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"key":"13740_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"820","DOI":"10.1177\/0956462420920136","volume":"31","author":"Z Iliyasu","year":"2020","unstructured":"Iliyasu Z, Kassim RB, Iliyasu BZ, Amole TG, Nass NS, et al. Acceptability and correlates of HIV self-testing among university students in northern Nigeria. Int J STD AIDS. 2020;31:820\u201331.","journal-title":"Int J STD AIDS"}],"container-title":["BMC Infectious Diseases"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12879-026-13740-6","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12879-026-13740-6.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12879-026-13740-6.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T00:01:30Z","timestamp":1788134490000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1186\/s12879-026-13740-6"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,18]]},"references-count":28,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["13740"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12879-026-13740-6","relation":{},"ISSN":["1471-2334"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1471-2334","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,18]]},"assertion":[{"value":"27 June 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"1 June 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"18 June 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"The Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) Research and Ethics Committee (MRRH-2022-212) provided ethical clearance for the study. The study was conducted in compliance with the ethical principles stipulated in the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from all the study participants. Privacy was observed through sending participants anonymised links to the questionnaire instead of the face-to-face interview where information from the participants could be identified. The filled information was confidential, while measures were put in place to maintain confidentiality.","order":1,"name":"Ethics","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","label":"Consent for publication","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","label":"Competing interests","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}}],"article-number":"1573"}}