Omale, Ugwu I. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6586-8992
Azuogu, Benedict N.
Alo, Chihurumnanya
Madubueze, Ugochukwu C.
Oka, Onyinyechukwu U.
Okeke, Kingsley C.
Okafor, Ifeyinwa M.
Utulu, Rowland
Akpan, Uduak E.
Iloke, Chijioke V.
Nnubia, Anthonia O.
Eze, Ifeyinwa I.
Anene, Ogechukwu C.
Nnabu, Chukwuka R.
Ibemesi, Deborah C.
Article History
Received: 7 February 2019
Accepted: 29 July 2019
First Online: 10 October 2019
Ethics approval and consent to participate
: Ethical approval was obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) (currently called Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AEFUTHA) with REC approval Number 11/07/2018–23/07/2018 (see Additional file InternalRef removed) and the Ethical Review Committee of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health with reference number SMOH/ERC/036/018 (see Additional file InternalRef removed). Written informed consent will be obtained from the selected participants prior to randomization. The investigators will obtain informed consent from cluster heads/authorities, leaders of social groups, owners/heads of health facilities (where appropriate) and individual healthcare providers who will each sign two consent forms (one for the investigator and one for the participant). The purpose and nature of the study/intervention including participants’ rights to seek clarification or withdraw from the study at any time will be effectively communicated to participants as required. Informed consent will also be obtained from respondent female heads of households (by interviewers) and focused group discussion participants (by the investigators) prior to data collection. The research records and results will be strictly protected from access to outsiders. Research records will be stored in a secure area and access to study materials and data files by unauthorized persons will be prevented. Even though the results of the research may be published, no personal information that can be used to identify individual community members/participants will be included.
: Not applicable.
: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.