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Article History

Received: 27 September 2025

Accepted: 29 April 2026

First Online: 18 May 2026

Declarations

:

: The World Bank Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) program typically does not have an internal Institutional Review Board (IRB) or an independent ethics committee to approve its longitudinal studies. Instead, the LSMS program relies on a collaborative approach to ethical clearance. It works alongside the Ethiopian Central Statistical Authority (CSA), now part of the Ethiopian Statistics Service (ESS), and the National Research Ethics Review Committee (NRERC), currently based at the Ministry of Education/Science and Technology in Ethiopia. NRERC adheres to the principles of the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent amendments, or comparable guidelines and ethical standards. These surveys adhered to strict protocols, as documented in academic articles and datasets. Besides, Selale University provides ethical clearance for research involving human subjects, including panel data, in accordance with its research and community engagement guidelines.

: The study aimed to build capacity to collect, analyze, and use reliable household survey data for evidence-based policymaking. All participating households were informed of the study’s objectives and procedures. Informed consent was obtained from each participant in Ethiopia. Personal data privacy and security were maintained throughout, as required by the ethical standards committee. Collected data will be released publicly in anonymized form. No personally identifiable information will be disclosed. Respondent identities will stay confidential. Participants knew their involvement was voluntary. They could refuse any question or withdraw at any time.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.

: Not applicable.