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Article History

Received: 11 June 2025

Accepted: 27 November 2025

First Online: 3 December 2025

Declarations

:

: The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Kampala International University Research Ethics Committee (KIU-2024-554) in accordance with the Kampala International University Research Ethics Policy. The committee waived the need for additional formal ethical approval because the research was classified as low risk and involved the use of anonymous survey instruments. Written and verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. Participation was entirely voluntary, and participants were informed of their right to withdraw at any stage without any form of penalty. Confidentiality and anonymity were rigorously maintained throughout the study. All participant responses were coded using unique identifiers, and no personally identifying information was recorded. Data were securely stored on encrypted, password-protected devices accessible only to the research team, in compliance with institutional data protection standards.

: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants involved in this study, all of whom were aged 18 years and above. Each participant was fully informed of the study’s objectives, procedures, potential risks, and benefits prior to participation. Consent for the use of anonymized data and direct quotations in publications arising from this research was also obtained.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.