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Article History

Received: 4 March 2020

Accepted: 30 October 2020

First Online: 16 November 2020

Ethics approval and consent to participate

: This study is a baseline assessment of a research project entitled “Use of Health Information Among Pregnant Adolescents for health promotion and health seeking behaviours” which had ethical approval from Malawi College of Medicine Research and Ethical Committee (COMREC – P. 11/15/1831). Authorization and support were also sought from Chiladzulu District Commission Office and Chiladzulu District Health Office, and from officers in-charge of Namadzi and Namitambo Health centres. Written informed consent was sought from participants who were able to read and write. However, participants who were unable to read and write provided their informed consent through a thumb print on the consent form in the presence of a witness which was also approved by the ethics committee. For participants under the age of 18 years, which is the legal age for consent in Malawi, informed consent was obtained from a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian was invited to the clinic through the potential participant. The parent or guardian was informed about the purpose of the study and benefits and risks of the study to the participant as well as relevance of the study to health care providers. The parent or guardian was also informed that the ward’s participation was voluntary and that the ward was free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and that the withdrawal would not affect their entitlements to health services. A written informed consent was obtained from the parent or guardian.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.