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Article History

Received: 4 October 2024

Accepted: 11 February 2025

First Online: 27 February 2025

Declarations

:

: This study adhered to the Helsinki Declaration on medical research involving human participants. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee through the head of Ethics and Research, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu (FNHE). The ethical clearance reference number was FNHE/HTR/REA/VOL.11/067. The purpose of the study was explained to each patient, after which a signed informed consent form was obtained. For minors (under 18 years of age), consent was obtained from their parents or legal guardians. Legally authorized representatives of illiterate participants provided informed consent on their behalf. Illiterate participants who could not write were asked to do a thumbprint where consent was given in the presence of a witness, and the representative was also asked to sign beside the thumbprint. The researchers communicated with these participants in the local language so they could understand and feel comfortable enough to provide honest responses to the questionnaire. For adults with cognitive decline, their legal guardians provided informed consent on their behalf and were also involved in filling out the survey questionnaire based on the participants’ responses.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.