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Article History

Received: 18 August 2023

Accepted: 13 October 2023

First Online: 31 October 2023

Declarations

:

: Ethical clearance was obtained from three institutional review boards: the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Ethics Review Committee (GHS-ERC: 005-0621), the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) (KATH-IRB/RR/101/21), and the James Cook University (JCU) Human Ethics Committee (H8531). The study also received approval from the Regional Health Directorate in Kumasi and the Offinso North District Health Directorate in Akumadan. Additionally, the study obtained both written and verbal consent from the leaders of two disability groups (Ghana Association of the Blind and the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled) in the Kumasi Metropolis and Offinso North District. Furthermore, the study ensured the anonymity and confidentiality of the participants. Prior to administering the study instrument, a document explaining the study objectives, anonymity and confidentiality, and benefits of participation was provided to the participants. They were also informed that their involvement was voluntary and that they could withdraw from the project at any time without any repercussions. They were also assured that their data would be used only for academic purposes and that their identities would not be disclosed to anyone. Both written and verbal informed consents were obtained from all participants. In addition to ethical approval and informed consent, all methods adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki's ethical principles for conducting human research.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.