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Authors
Abu Bonsra, Emmanuel https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8463-1397
Kwame Ananga, Mark
Aboagye, Pious
Twumasi, Emmanuel
Abem, Michael Agonga
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Article History
Received: 12 September 2025
Accepted: 23 November 2025
First Online: 28 November 2025
Declarations
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: This study was conducted in full compliance with the ethical principles set forth in the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki (2024 update), which provides guidelines for medical research involving human participants. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of UHAS with reference number (UHAS REC B.12 [41] 23–24]). Permission was also secured from the management of all participating tertiary institutions. Informed consent was obtained from all participants aged 18 years and older. For participants aged 17 years, parental or guardian consent was also obtained. A consent form was provided to the parent or guardian, which could be returned either in writing, via email, or following a direct phone call from the researcher to explain the study and obtain informed consent.In addition, personal assent was obtained from the student to confirm their willingness to participate. Only students who had both parental/guardian consent and personal assent were included in the study. In addition, personal assent was obtained from the student. Only students with both assent and parental consent were enrolled in the study. Participation was voluntary, and participants were informed of their right to withdraw at any time without penalty. To ensure confidentiality, questionnaires were anonymous and identified only with unique codes. Electronic data were stored in password-protected files accessible exclusively to the research team. The study did not involve biological material or secondary data beyond patient records and did not require the consent of patients’ next of kin unless they were participating as treatment supporters. The study adhered to all relevant ethical guidelines concerning informed consent, data protection, and participant welfare as outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.
: Not applicable.
: The authors declare no competing interests.
