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Article History

Received: 22 September 2022

Accepted: 20 May 2023

First Online: 1 June 2023

Declarations

:

: The authors certify that no actual or potential conflict of interest exists in relation to this work.

: The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University (Ethical Clearance Ref. No: MF/PSY/249/2012) and Gandhi Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Office and Research Directorate. All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. Before administering the questionnaire, the purpose of the study was briefly explained for the respondents and informed consent was sought from all participants. The participants were well informed that participation was entirely voluntary and that they could stop the interview at any time without any repercussions. The filled questionnaires were kept anonymous and confidential. Finally, participants with clinically significant symptoms that required intervention were linked to the psychiatry unit. Because of the need to exercise the WHO-approved precautionary measures of physical distancing to prevent COVID-19 transmission, interviews were conducted using telephones.

: Not applicable.