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Article History

Received: 12 October 2023

Accepted: 16 May 2024

First Online: 23 May 2024

Declarations

:

: All experimental protocols in this study were approved by St. Mary’s Hospital Institutional Review and Ethics Committee (LHIREC, No. 0192/10/2021). In addition, the study was conducted following all relevant institutional guidelines and regulations. We obtained informed consent from each participant and their legal representatives to participate in this study.

: We obtained informed consent from the participants for publishing the information.

: The authors declare no competing interests.

: Dr. Johnson Nyeko Oloya (JNO) is a medical officer at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto district, Uganda; Dr. Nelson Onira Alema (NOA) is a lecturer at Gulu University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Gulu City, Uganda; Dr. Christopher Okot (CO) is a medical officer Special Grade at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu City, Uganda; Dr. Emmanuel Olal (EO) is a Public Health Specialist and a Physician at Yotkom Medical Centre in Kitgum district, Kitgum, Uganda; Dr. Eric Nzirakaindi Ikoona (ENI) is a Technical Director at ICAP at the University of Columbia, Sierra Leone, Liberia; Dr. Freddy Wathum Drinkwater Oyat (FWDO) is a senior physician, a public health specialist, and a member of Uganda Medical Association, UMA-Acholi branch, Gulu City, Uganda; Dr. Steven Baguma (SB) is a medical officer at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu City, Uganda; Dr. Denish Omoya Ochula (DOO) is a District Health officer at Lamwo district local government, Lamwo, Uganda; Dr. Patrick Olwedo Odong (POO) is a District Health Officer at Amuru local Government, Amuru district, Uganda; Dr. Francis Pebalo Pebolo (FPP) is a lecturer at Gulu University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Health, Gulu City, Uganda; Dr. Pamela Okot Atim (POA) is a senior Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a Medical Superintendent at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Kitgum, Uganda; Dr. Geoffrey Smart Okot (GSO) is a senior Surgeon and a Medical Superintendent at Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital, Kalongo, Agago district, Uganda; Dr. Ritah Nantale (RN) is a Research Manager for the Centre of Excellence for Maternal, Reproductive and Child Health at Busitema University, Mbale City, Uganda; Dr. Judith Aloyo (JA) is a Deputy Chief of Party at Rhites-N, Acholi, Gulu City, Uganda; Prof. David Lagoro Kitara (DLK) is a Takemi fellow of Harvard University and a Professor at Gulu University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Gulu City, Uganda.