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Article History

Received: 29 April 2026

Accepted: 30 June 2026

First Online: 8 July 2026

Declarations

:

: Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Review Board of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, on the date 13/03/2023 with a Ref. No: IRB/204/15. Permission letters were obtained from the Loka Abaya district Health Office and selected kebeles' administrations. Informed written consent and assent (for the age group of 12–17 years) were obtained from all study participants before data collection. Participation in the study was based on the willingness of the participants. And also, risks, discomfort, procedures, benefits, incentives, and issues of confidentiality and safety in the study were clearly explained to study participants. All malaria-positive cases were carefully treated according to the national malaria guidelines in collaboration with the Loka Abaya district Health Bureau and nearby health facilities.

: The authors declare no competing interests.