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Article History

Received: 29 November 2024

Accepted: 26 January 2026

First Online: 29 January 2026

Declarations

:

: Informed consent was obtained from each participant before the interviews, after they were provided with comprehensive information about the study’s objectives, procedures, and the voluntary nature of their participation. Participants were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without facing any consequences. No compensation or incentives were offered for participation. To ensure anonymity and confidentiality, each participant was assigned a unique code instead of using their name, thereby preventing any data from being traced back to specific individuals. All completed data collection tools were securely stored in a locked facility, with access restricted to the principal investigator, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the collected information. The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the University of Goma (approval no. UNIGOM/CEM/003/2021) and was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, as well as the guidelines for the Ethical Review of Research Involving Human Subjects in the DRC, ensuring the protection, dignity, and privacy of all participants.

: The authors declare no competing interests.