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Article History

Received: 2 March 2025

Accepted: 18 August 2025

First Online: 1 September 2025

Declarations

:

: The Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of college of health science, school of public health, Jinka University was approved with reference number of jcu/1149/14. Also, formal letters of permission were obtained from Sodo town health office, Tebela town administrative health office, Bele awassa town administrative health office, Bodit town administrative health office, Gesuba town administrative health office, Bitana district health office and Bomb district health office. The formal letter of permission was written to the respective hospitals. The study's objectives and methods were explained to each participant. Additionally, prior to participation, all study participants provided written informed permission. The study's goal, the thorough review of their medical records, and the potential benefits of the research were also explained to the participants. The data gathered was used for the study's objectives. All of the information gathered throughout the study was kept private, available only to the research team, and utilized only for that reason. Their medical record numbers were utilized instead of personal identifiers for the purpose of gathering data. The study incorporated active depression management for participants scoring PHQ-9 ≥ 5, including immediate referrals when indicated. This protocol was approved by the Jinka University IRB (ref: jcu/1149/14) and implemented in partnership with local health authorities. The study was carried out in compliance with the applicable rules, laws, and Helsinki Declaration principles.

: Not applicable.

: The study design, study execution, and results distribution did not involve patients or general public.

: The authors declare that the study was held in the absence of any commercial or financial support that could be constructed as a potential conflict of interest.