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Article History

Received: 15 April 2026

Accepted: 5 July 2026

First Online: 8 July 2026

Declarations

:

: Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of KU Leuven (PRET approval number: G-2024-8892-R4(MAR)) and Kabale University Research Ethics Committee (KABREC-2025-883). Final clearance was obtained from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) (HS6231ES) through the National Research Information Management System (NRIMS). Administrative permission was also obtained from Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, and the relevant district health authorities in Mbarara and Kabale. All procedures involving human participants were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the relevant institutional and national research committees and with the 2013 Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from participants aged 18 years and above. For participants younger than 18 years, written assent and parent or caregiver consent were obtained when the participant was accompanied. Unaccompanied participants who met the national criteria for mature or emancipated minors provided written informed consent for research participation in accordance with REC approvals and national guidance.

: Not applicable. The study does not include any data, images, or information that could identify participants.

: The authors declare no competing interests.