Robert, Kimathi
Maryline, Mireku
Jordan, Kyongo
Lina, Digolo
Helgar, Musyoki
Annrita, Ikahu
Wanjiru, Mukoma
Lilian, Otiso
Funding for this research was provided by:
UNICEF (KCO/LVCT Health/HIV, AIDS/2015/006)
Article History
Received: 11 June 2019
Revised: 3 February 2020
Accepted: 12 March 2020
First Online: 26 April 2020
Compliance with ethical standards
:
: The author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest.
: Ethical approval was obtained locally from the AMREF Ethics and Scientific Review Committee (ESRC P212/2015). For engagement of minors, the study followed guidelines outlined in the 2015 ‘Guidelines for Conducting Adolescent HIV Sexual and Reproductive Health Research in Kenya (National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) CitationRef removed). The guidelines outline circumstances in which parental/guardian permission may be waived. These exceptions applied to the target populations below age of 15 years who were either emancipated (Status conferred upon persons who have not yet attained the age of legal competency as defined by state law, but who are entitled to treatment as if they had by virtue of assuming adult responsibilities, such as self-support, marriage or procreation) and/or mature minors (minors 15 years of age or older; living separate and apart from their parents or guardian, whether with or without the consent of a parent or guardian and regardless of the duration of the separate residence, and managing their own financial affairs, regardless of the source of income) to consent for the study. Participants were informed that the study was voluntary and that they had a right to refuse to answer any questions.