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Article History

Received: 7 October 2024

Accepted: 25 September 2025

First Online: 5 October 2025

Declarations

:

: The study protocol underwent a thorough review by the Department of AIDS Control’s ethics committee. This study received ethical recommendation from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). The project was reviewed and recommended during the 16th NACO Ethics Committee meeting held on 14th February 2022. The recommendation is documented in letter no. T-11020/15/2021-NACO(R&E), dated 22nd February 2022. Ethical considerations were extensively discussed with all involved, sensitizing the research team and data collectors to the concepts of voluntary participation, privacy, and confidentiality. Traning of the research staff included sessions on ethical conduct and informed consent process. Rigorous ethical standards were maintained throughout. Regular progress reports were submitted to the NACO, detailing enrolment, discontinuations, study completions, alterations, and unexpected issues. Post-study, all study related documents were stored with the TISS under lock and key and with password protected systems.

: Comprehensive steps were taken to uphold participants’ rights, dignity, and respect throughout the study. Adults aged 18 years and above joined voluntarily and were informed about the study’s scope. Written consent was obtained from all the educated participants, while thumb impressions were obtained from illiterate participants. The interviews lasted 45–60 min. Culturally-sensitive, language-adapted, tablet-based data collection allowed withdrawal rights.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.