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Article History

Received: 26 March 2021

Accepted: 19 January 2022

First Online: 20 January 2022

Declarations

:

: This study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. All procedures involving participants and related documentation, as well as the informed consent processes and form were approved by the Ethics Committee of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences (Reference number: 8737). We obtained written informed consent from all participants after explaining the methods and purpose of the research, allowing sufficient time for questions, and ensuring clarity. For subjects who were not able to read the consent materials, the approved oral process was to have the potential participants’ representative present the information verbally and serve as witness. If oral consent was granted, the fingerprint of the subject was captured, and the witness signed and dated the consent form. The member of the research team in charge of the consent process added a statement that the subject was unable to read the information and that an oral consent process was used.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.