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Article History

Received: 17 July 2024

Accepted: 31 December 2025

First Online: 22 January 2026

Declarations

:

: The study was approved by the University of Malawi, College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC) P.08/21/3386. Blantyre District Health Office, which is responsible for the management of health services for the study sites provided institutional clearance. All the participants gave either written informed consent or witnessed consent with a thumb print if illiterate in the presence of an impartial witness as per approved guidelines of COMREC. Codes were used on the checklists and during interviews and focus group discussions as identifiers to achieve anonymity. The participants were assured that participation was voluntary and could withdraw any time and would still access antenatal care.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.