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Article History

Received: 2 February 2025

Accepted: 2 March 2026

First Online: 11 March 2026

Declarations

:

: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Sokoine University of Agriculture Research and Publication Committee, which serves as the Institutional Research Ethics Review Body (Reference number: RPGS/R/ETHICS). Permission to conduct the study was also sought and obtained from the relevant regional, district, and community authorities prior to data collection. Participation in the study involved Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). In accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, eligible participants were approached and provided with detailed information about the purpose of the study, the procedures involved, the expected duration of participation, and the types of questions to be asked. The study objectives and procedures were explained in Kiswahili - the Tanzania’s National language understandable to the participants. Participants were explicitly informed that their participation was entirely voluntary and that they had the right to decline participation or withdraw from the study at any point without any consequences or loss of benefits. They were also informed that refusal to participate would not affect their relationship with any institution or authority. To protect participants’ privacy and confidentiality, no personal identifiers such as names were collected. Interview and discussion data were anonymized using unique codes, and all audio recordings, transcripts, and field notes were stored securely with access limited to the research team. The information collected was used strictly for research purposes. For FGDs, participants were additionally reminded to respect the confidentiality of information shared by other group members. No financial or material incentives were provided for participation. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their participation.

: Not application.

: Tumaini Nyamhanga – BScN, MA, PhD (Public Health), Associate Professor, Department of Development Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). Veronica Masawe – Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM), Tutorial Assistant, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).

: The authors declare no competing interests.