Wanyenze, Eva Wodeya
Nalwadda, Gorrette K.
Tumwesigye, Nazarius Mbona
Byamugisha, Josaphat K.
Article History
Received: 3 April 2023
Accepted: 5 September 2023
First Online: 18 September 2023
Declarations
:
: This study was approved by the Makerere School of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (SHSREC REF: 2017–54) and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (HS377ES). Administrative clearance was also obtained from the health facility (UG-REC-011). Written informed consent was sought from participants prior to enrollment in the study. In Uganda, emancipated minors are individuals below the age of 18 who are pregnant, married, have a child or cater for their own livelihood [CitationRef removed]. The rationale for including them was the high rate of under-age pregnancies in the study setting; 25% girls in Uganda aged 15–19 years have had a child or are pregnant. Moreover, 34% of Ugandan girls are married by 18 years [CitationRef removed]. Thus, these independently provided consent to participate in the study without guardians or parents. The researcher emphasized that they had the right to withdraw from the study at any point. All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. The findings from this study were stored in a computer secured with a password for purposes of confidentiality.
: Not applicable.
: The authors declare no competing interests.