Peer services helped avoid stigma in healthcare settings and provided support for adherence
TGW appreciated peer services because they helped them circumvent the stigma experienced at health facilities and avoid intrusive questions such as, “Why are you like this [transgender]?” Receiving HIV services in the comfort of their homes or at another convenient venue helped avoid uncomfortable experiences.

Peer support was valued because “if am a trans and a fellow transwoman is giving me these services, there is so much trust because I know the person who works on me understands what [I] am going through.” Peers provided psychosocial support during monthly visits and acknowledged that “adherence to PrEP is very hard.” Interacting with a peer who was also taking antiretroviral drugs enabled TGW to deal with side effects and stigma.

