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Article History

Received: 9 September 2024

Accepted: 26 May 2025

First Online: 2 July 2025

Declarations

:

: This study has been performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The ethical clearances to conduct the study were received from the Human Research Ethics Committee (No M200351) from the University of Witwatersrand, the Institutional Review Board (No 573/CMHSIRB/2019) from the University of Rwanda, and the Research Ethics Committee of Kigali Teaching Hospital (No EC/CHUK/026/2020). Informed written consent was given to all participants before data collection. To obtain informed consent, we first provided adequate information to participants through an information sheet that explained in detail the nature and processes involved in the study, the reason for the study, and the intended outcomes. We allowed participants to ask questions and respond to each question. We ensured participants comprehended the provided information. Then, participants who agreed to participate in our study voluntarily signed the consent form. The confidentiality of patients was observed by using an anonymous questionnaire. The signed commitment letter to support any HIV-positive interview who could show discomfort during IDIs was obtained from Psychology department before starting our data collection.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.