Amwiine, Earnest
Ainembabazi, Bonita
Obwona, Isaiah
Opoka, Richard
Akatuhumuriza, Mary
Niyonzima, Vallence
Mubangizi, Vincent
Article History
Received: 29 May 2021
Accepted: 11 November 2021
First Online: 23 November 2021
Declarations
:
: Mbarara University of Science and Technology Research Ethics Committee gave ethical approval (30/11–20). The study was cleared by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology in line with national guidelines. We also obtained administrative approval from the district health officer and health center administrators. All participants were provided with explanations about the study and requested to provide written informed consent. In the case of illiterate participants, they were asked to use a thumbprint, and an independent witness signed to confirm that they gave their consent freely. Mbarara University of Science and Technology Research ethics committee approved this consent procedure. Informed consent was obtained from the parent and/or legal guardian for minors (below 18 years) and minors assented to participate as per guidelines and regulations from the Mbarara University of Science and Technology research ethics Committee. All participants provided written consent. Participation was voluntary, and a participant was free to withdraw from the study at any time without any penalties. Privacy and confidentiality were ensured by conducting the interviews in a private place in addition to allocating non-identifiable field codes to each participant. All methods were carried out per relevant guidelines and regulations as provided by the Mbarara University of Science and Technology research ethics committee.
: Not applicable.
: None declared (all authors).