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Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously? -->?>

Reviewer #1: N/A

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: N/A

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available??>

The PLOS Data policy

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English??>

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

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Reviewer #1: There should have to be more context to the lower Troughs in terms of duration of diagnosis but iit is just a suggestion. The article will also have benefited from some more explanatory note on whether doule consent from both the parent or guardian.and from the partcipants below 15,not just the guardian. The article covered important highlights but wil benefit from more descriptive demographics of the environment.

Reviewer #2: The writing is clear, concise, and easy read in standard English. All methodological processes have been presented in their common order. The theoretical framework conjoins well with the methodology, the analysis and discussions. Only few highlighted inconsistences need to be corrected. Also, ethical issues as indicated in the script comments

Reviewer #3: This is very interesting potentially impactful piece of work on HIV/AIDS, the work has great lessons that can be employed in health system provision at large. Briefly explain the story theory.

To further improve the reliability of your research consider the following:

1. Use a checklist (such as the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies) to systematically report the qualitative findings.

2. Research Team and reflexivity

a. Show experience that researchers have

b. Share reflexivity of the study.

c. How many participants refused to participate and how many dropped off? Any repeat interviews?

3. Study design

a. Briefly show how the story theory was applied in the study

b. How was the tool (? interview guide) piloted?

4. Data Collection, Analysis and findings

a. What did member checking ( if any) show?

b. How many audio recordings were in English and how many were in Luganda?

c. Who translated the Luganda audio recordings, if any?

d. Who read the transcripts?

e. What did field notes show?

f. Show “how many” ( by saying most participants / generally most participants) supported the theme : refer to your discussion section where you did that very well.

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what does this mean? ). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Dr. Hlanganiso Roy

Reviewer #3: No

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: PONE-D-25-36890_reviewer (1) november 2025.pdf

Crests, troughs, and plateaus: Using story theory to explore the experiences of adolescents and young people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda

PONE-D-25-36890R1

Dear Dr. Osingada,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Anthony A. Olashore, MBCHB, PhD,

Academic Editor

PLOS One

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #3: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #4: All comments have been addressed

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions??>

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

Reviewer #4: Yes

**********

3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously? -->?>

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: N/A

Reviewer #4: Yes

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4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available??>

The PLOS Data policy

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

Reviewer #4: Yes

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5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English??>

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

Reviewer #4: Yes

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Reviewer #2: The authors sufficiently responded to my concerns. More importantly on the availability of the counselling services for those who may have been affected by the interviews.

Reviewer #3: This work is commendable and add to be body of knowledge in caring for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS.

Reviewer #4: All concerns previously expressed have been addressed adequately. The manuscript is well written and easy to read

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what does this mean? ). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy

Reviewer #2: Yes: Hlanganiso Roy, Ph.D, Clinical Psychology

Reviewer #3: No

Reviewer #4: Yes: Olorunfemi Ogunwobi

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