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Article History

Received: 13 October 2025

Accepted: 28 April 2026

First Online: 19 May 2026

Declarations

:

: The study was conducted following the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval for the study was granted by the Lira University Research Ethics Committee (LUREC-2024-332), situated at Lira University, Uganda. Authorisation to conduct the study within health facilities was obtained from the Director of Public Health at Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA). Written informed consent was acquired from participants aged 15 to 49 years. Additionally, parental or legal guardian consent was obtained to invite adolescents aged 15 to 17 years. Subsequently, assent was sought from the adolescents within this age range. Adolescents aged 15 to 17 years who wished to participate in the study without parental or legal guardian consent were classified as emancipated minors, capable of self-determination, as permitted by Uganda’s guidelines for the conduct of scientific research within the country. Participants were informed that their participation was entirely voluntary and that they could withdraw from the study at any time without any effect on the care they received at the health facility. Participants were not provided with monetary compensation; however, a small token of appreciation was offered to compensate for their time and transport costs, in line with ethical guidance and local research practice.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.