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Article History

Received: 15 April 2025

Accepted: 26 August 2025

First Online: 9 October 2025

Declarations

:

: Ethical approval for this study was granted by the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences Institutional Review Board (IRB) (CMHS/IRB/489/2023). The research was conducted following the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki of October 2013 and the Rwanda National Ethics Committee (RNEC) Standard Operating Procedures of August 2021. Authorization for data collection was obtained from relevant local administrative authorities. Participants received information about the study objectives, significance and procedures. Participation was fully voluntary, and participants were informed of their rights to withdraw at any stage without penalty. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. For individuals who could not read or write, the consent process was verbally explained, and consent was documented using thumbprints, in the presence of a witness chosen by the participant. For children involved in anthropometric assessments, parental consent was obtained.

: All participants provided permission for the anonymous publication of study findings. No identifying personal data were collected.

: The authors declare no competing interests.