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Article History

Received: 6 September 2025

Accepted: 5 January 2026

First Online: 10 January 2026

Declarations

:

: The research protocol received ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh (Approval Reference: FHLSREC/DIU/2023/SMIG-22). Compliance with ethical standards, including participant safety, data confidentiality, and adherence to international guidelines was ensured.

: All study procedures adhered to the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Data collection involved multiple components, including community campaigns, patient interviews, healthcare provider assessments, and facility audits. Prior to participation, individuals were provided with detailed information sheets in Bengali and English outlining study objectives, procedures, potential risks, and benefits. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. For illiterate participants, verbal consent was obtained through thumbprints in the presence of a literate witness. Confidentiality and anonymity were strictly maintained; no personal identifiers were recorded in the analysis. Participants were informed of their right to withdraw at any stage without any consequences for their treatment or services. Ethical safeguards also included gender-sensitive interviewing, private spaces for interviews to minimize social desirability bias, and secure storage of data.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.