Kwagala, Claire
Munube, Deogratias
Abbo, Catherine
Muhwezi, Wilson Winstons
Mwesiga, Emmanuel Kiiza
Article History
Received: 13 March 2024
Accepted: 25 July 2024
First Online: 1 August 2024
Declarations
:
: All experiments and procedures involving human subjects followed the ethical guidelines and principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Institutional ethical approval was sought from the Department of Psychiatry and the School of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (Mak-SOMREC-2021-72] at Makerere University. Administrative clearance to conduct the study was obtained from Mulago Hospital and the Clinical Head of the Sickle Cell Clinic. Written informed consent and assent were obtained from each participant above 18. For participants under 18, informed consent was obtained from their parent/legal guardian. The informed consent and assent documents were translated into Luganda, the spoken language of many participants. The PI or a research assistant would read the document if the subjects could not read it. All consenting subjects signed the relevant forms; if the individual could not write, they signified consent by using a fingerprint, witnessed by the PI or his representative. A copy of a signed/ fingerprinted consent and assent forms were provided to potential study subjects. Those who declined consent or assent were prejudicially treated, and all their routine health care went on uninterrupted. The utmost confidentially of all data collected was ensured by using identification numbers rather than participant names and by storing all data under lock and key, including passwords for computer-stored data. Participants who screened positive were referred to appropriate mental health services.
: Not applicable.
: The authors declare no competing interests.