Mukashyaka, RitahKaberuka, GeraldFavina, AlainLutasingwa, DanMulisa, FredTuratsinze, EverestKaranja, AnnKansiime, DeborahNiyotwagira, EgideIkuzo, BasileKaggwa, Mark MohanKagaba, AflodisMathebula, Evans MantiriRwibasira, Gallican N.2025-06-132025-06-132025-03Mukashyaka, R., Kaberuka, G., Favina, A. et al. Enhancing HIV self-testing uptake among university students in Rwanda: the proportion, barriers, and opportunities. BMC Public Health 25, 1173 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22387-y.1471-2458 (online)10.1186/s12889-025-22387-yhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/102816DATA AVAILABILITY : The datasets will be made available to appropriate academic parties on request from the corresponding author.INTRODUCTION : University 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. METHOD : A 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. RESULTS : The 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. CONCLUSION : Although 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.en© The Author(s) 2025. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.AwarenessBarriersBenefitsHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)HIV self-testingPerceptionsUniversity studentsRwandaArticle