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Article History

Received: 11 June 2024

Accepted: 20 January 2025

First Online: 4 February 2025

Competing Interests

: The authors declare no competing interests.

: All ethical standards stipulated by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) have been adhered to during this study. The study involved non-interventional qualitative research focusing on socio-cultural and personal experiences. The researcher’s institution does not require a formal review by an ethics committee for this type of research. However, the methodology and ethical considerations were thoroughly discussed with the researcher’s academic supervisor to ensure compliance with academic ethical standards. The study was conducted in Antwerp, Belgium, in collaboration with the organisation ATLAS. It adhered to Belgian ethical standards for research involving human participants, which included: Ensuring voluntary participation. Providing participants with a priori comprehensive and accurate information about the research purpose and procedures. Maintaining strict anonymity and confidentiality of participants’ identities and data. Safeguarding participants from any potential adverse effects arising from participation or non-participation. Additionally, both oral and written informed consent were obtained, with interpreters and cultural mediators assisting participants where necessary. These measures ensured ethical rigour and the respectful inclusion of diverse participants.

: All participants provided informed consent, ensuring their voluntary participation and understanding of the study’s purpose, procedures, and scope. Measures to ensure robust consent included: 1. Means of consent: Both oral and written consent were obtained. Participants were first verbally briefed about the study’s aims, followed by the provision of a written consent form. 2. Documentation of oral consent: Oral consent was recorded using a standardised script for participants preferring verbal communication due to cultural or linguistic reasons. 3. Scope of consent: Consent encompassed participation, anonymized data use for research purposes, and publication of findings. 4. Vulnerable populations: Given the study’s inclusion of migrant participants and other vulnerable groups, interpreters and cultural mediators assisted in obtaining and explaining consent where needed. 5. Non-interventional nature: The study employed qualitative methods, such as interviews and thematic analysis, with no associated risks to the participants. Participants were assured that strict confidentiality would be maintained. 6. No incentives provided: Participation was voluntary, without financial or other incentives.