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Article History

Received: 13 February 2025

Accepted: 5 May 2025

First Online: 14 May 2025

Declarations

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: The study protocol underwent a comprehensive review process to ensure ethical clearance was obtained from the Ministries of Health in each of the 12 countries. These are: Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health, Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Eswatini’s Ministry of Health, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, Lesotho’s Ministry of Health, Malawi’s Ministry of Health, Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Zambia’s Ministry of Health, and Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care. This study was conducted in full compliance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants provided informed consent prior to data collection, and the research protocol adhered to applicable national guidelines for ethical research involving human subjects.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.