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Article History

Received: 9 July 2024

Accepted: 8 October 2024

First Online: 14 October 2024

Declarations

:

: Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of Health and Allied Sciences Research Ethics Committee with study ID: UHAS-REC B.10 (036)22–23. The Bia East District health directorate officials were also informed of the study’s goals and parameters before the beginning of work. Written informed consent was obtained from each eligible participant and for minors or teenagers, consent was sought from their parents or guardians explaining the objective of the study, methods of data collection, and anticipated benefits and risks of the study to the respondent in their language Privacy and confidentiality were maintained throughout the data collection, analysis, and results dissemination by assuring the study participants that neither their names nor any other information that could be used to identify them would be distributed with or included in the study’s findings. The respondents were informed that they are not under any obligation to take part in the study and hence can freely opt-out at any stage of the study without any punishment, intimidation, or loss of any benefit whatsoever. Data obtained from respondents in this study were strictly confidential and were used for research purposes only. Names of respondents and any other identifying information were not acquired. There was no compensation for study participants.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.