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Article History

Received: 13 December 2024

Accepted: 15 October 2025

First Online: 19 November 2025

Declarations

:

: To carry out this study, we obtained ethical clearance issued by the Institutional Ethics Committee for Research for Human Health of the School of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Central Africa [No. 2023/022073/CEIRSH/ESS/MSP] and a research authorization issued by the Regional Public Health Delegate of the Littoral [N°0318/AAR/MISANTE/DRSPL/BCASS]. In addition, parental consent was obtained through the signing of informed consent to attest to voluntary participation in the research, and anonymity was safeguarded during data collection. In accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and appropriate national guidelines, this study was conducted in compliance with ethical and responsible principles concerning research involving human participants. We followed the recommendations of the declaration, which emphasize the importance of informed consent, participant welfare, and research integrity. All procedures have been designed to respect the rights and dignity of participants, ensuring that they are fully informed of the study objectives, methods, risks, and benefits before giving consent. The ethical review process includes in-depth assessments by competent ethics committees to ensure that participants’ rights and welfare are protected throughout the research. We are committed to maintaining these ethical standards in all our research activities. Participation in this study was entirely voluntary. Before data collection began, the objectives, methodology, potential benefits and minimal risks of the study were explained in detail to parents, legal guardians and students. An information and informed consent form was distributed to parents or guardians for signature, authorizing their children’s participation. Verbal consent was also obtained from the students themselves, after explaining the purpose of the study, the confidentiality of the information collected, and their right to withdraw at any time without consequence. Participants’ confidentiality and anonymity were strictly respected throughout the research process.

: All participants, as well as their parents or legal guardians, have given their consent for the publication of the results of this study. They were informed that the data would be presented in aggregate form only, and that no individually identifiable information would be disclosed. Participants’ anonymity and confidentiality were strictly respected throughout the study and when the results were published.

: The authors declare no competing interests.