Document is current

Article History

Received: 29 October 2019

Accepted: 25 October 2020

First Online: 3 November 2020

Ethics approval and consent to participate

: The study was approved by the Uganda Virus Research Institute- Research Ethics Committee (UVRI-REC, FWA number 00001354) and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST, FWA number 00001293). Permission to conduct the study, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews was also obtained from the local political leaders. We obtained written consent from each participant prior to conducting any study procedures. All participants were either adults (above 18 years) or emancipated minors (individuals below 18 years who are pregnant, married, have a child or cater for their own livelihood). In the case of emancipated minors, written informed consent for participation in the study was not obtained from their parents or guardians as this is acceptable by the Uganda national guidelines for research involving humans as research participants. In these guidelines, mature minors and emancipated minors may independently provide informed consent to participate in research. The institutional review board approved obtaining of written consent from emancipated minors themselves. All participants were offered refreshments and reimbursed 5,000 Uganda shillings (approximately USD2) for transport, as is standard practice in similar research activities in Uganda.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare having no competing interests.