Peer support models and quality of life among adult people living with HIV: a scoping review

People living with HIV (PLWH) often experience reduced quality of life (QoL) due to psychological distress and social challenges. Peer support interventions have emerged as psychosocial strategies that enhance QoL through shared experiences and social connectedness. This scoping review aimed to identify peer support models designed to improve QoL among adult PLWH, describe their key components, engagement strategies, and scalability, and summarize the QoL instruments used for evaluation. Guided by the PRISMA-ScR framework and PCC (Population, Concept, Context) approach, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for English-language studies published from January 2020 to December 2024. Studies were eligible if they involved adult PLWH and assessed QoL using validated instruments. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa. Fourteen peer support models were identified, including Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters, Peer Navigators, structured peer groups, adherence clubs and hybrid community-based approaches. Most interventions reported improvements in psychological well-being, emotional resilience, social connectedness and self-efficacy. QoL was assessed using generic (e.g., WHOQoL-BREF, MOS-HIV, SF-12, EQ-5D) and HIV-specific (e.g., HAT-QoL) tools. Peer support shows promise in enhancing QoL among PLWH, though inconsistencies in model design and QoL assessment call for better conceptual alignment.