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Article History

Received: 9 April 2020

Accepted: 13 October 2020

First Online: 22 October 2020

Ethics approval and consent to participate

: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Ottawa Health Sciences and Science Research Ethics Board (File No: H10–15-25B and the Jimma University College of Health Sciences Institutional Review Board (Ref No: RPGE/449/2016). Verbal informed consent for data collection was obtained from eligible women willing to participate in interviews prior to each round of household surveys. Verbal informed consent was approved by the ethics committees due to the relatively low literacy rate in the study area. Trained research assistants read out the contents of the consent forms outlining the survey objectives, institutions and investigators involved and describing what was expected of women as well as associated risks and benefits. This was done in a local language of women’s choice (Amharic or Afaan Oromo). Women were also explained their rights as participants and their questions answered prior to enrolment. Clusters were randomized before women were recruited for surveys; therefore, it was not possible to obtain consent from women for receiving study interventions as these were delivered at community level. However, use of MWHs and engaging with local leaders was voluntary.

: Not applicable.

: None declared.