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Article History

Received: 21 February 2024

Accepted: 14 October 2024

First Online: 5 November 2024

Declarations

:

: The researcher obtained the necessary research clearance from The Open University of Tanzania, acting on behalf of the Government of Tanzania and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). This clearance was for a PhD project, which received ethical clearance letters for the Njombe and Mbeya regions in Tanzania, dated 29 May 2023, under reference number OUT/PG202000309. The clearance letters clarify that the Open University of Tanzania, through the Vice Chancellor, is authorized by the act to issue research clearances on behalf of the Government of Tanzania and COSTECH to its staff and students conducting research in Tanzania. The research protocol received approval from the Open University of Tanzania, as required by COSTECH. Given the academic context of the study, it was exempt from needing additional approval from a Research Ethics Board (REB). Informed consent was obtained from all participants in the study for the use of their data in scientific publications. Participants were informed that their involvement was voluntary and that they had the freedom to withdraw at any time. All data were collected anonymously and treated with confidentiality. The study's design ensured the protection of participants and did not involve clinical data or constitute a clinical trial. Furthermore, no minors were involved in this study.

: The authors declare no competing interests.