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Article History

Received: 25 July 2021

Accepted: 12 September 2022

First Online: 2 October 2022

Declarations

:

: We received ethical clearance from committees of the International Vaccine Institute (approval number: 2015-004), South Korea, the Kintampo Health Research Centre (approval number: 2016-1), Ghana, the Ministère de la Santé du République (approval number: 109MSANP/CE), Madagascar, and the Armauer Hansen Research Institute/All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis, and Rehabilitation Training Center (approval number: PO38/15) and the Ethiopian National Research Ethics Review Committee (approval number: 3.10/116/2016), Ethiopia. Written informed consent or fingerprint with witness signature in case of illiteracy was obtained voluntarily from each eligible participant or parent/guardian/legal representative in case of minors after the purpose of our investigation was explained. In addition, informed assent was completed for the age ranges ≥ 10 to ≤ 17 years in Ghana, ≥ 12 to ≤ 18 years in Madagascar, and ≥ 12 to ≤ 17 years in Ethiopia as adviced by site principal investigators. The study protocol was performed in accordance with the relevant gudielines including the declaration of Helsinki. We processed all information on enrollees anonymously. Records were maintained confidential with only restricted access.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.