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Article History

Received: 30 December 2025

Accepted: 2 April 2026

First Online: 10 April 2026

Declarations

:

: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

: Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committees of the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (reference: FTHG/HREC/S.13/415), the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (reference: FCT/UATH/HREC/20185), and the Anambra State Ministry of Health Research Ethics Committee (reference: MP/PRS/1244/Vol.205). Administrative permission was also secured from the management of each facility prior to data collection. Participants were fully informed of the study’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits before consenting. Participation was voluntary, and respondents retained the right to withdraw at any stage without repercussions to their care. Confidentiality was maintained by anonymizing all participant identifiers and securely storing data in password-protected electronic files accessible only to the research team. The study adhered strictly to the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and the National Health Research Ethics Code of Nigeria, ensuring respect, beneficence, and justice in the conduct of human subject research. Written informed consent was obtained before participation.

: Not applicable.