Torlesse, Harriet
Ruducha, Jenny
Mann, Carlyn
Murira, Zivai
Article History
Received: 7 July 2021
Accepted: 13 January 2022
First Online: 26 January 2022
Declarations
:
: The study design and protocol met with “UNICEF’s procedure on ethical standards in research, evaluation, data collection and analysis”; according to this procedure, the study did not require ethical review [CitationRef removed]. Our study posed minimal risk to study participants who were senior officials from selected organizations; they were all over age 18, and not part of any vulnerable groups. Informed consent processes were developed for the ONA online survey and for the virtual skype or face-to-face qualitative interviews. The on-line survey began with an informed consent form that included information about the study purpose, processes, contact information (if questions arose) and how the data would be used and protected to maintain respondent confidentiality. If respondents agreed to participate, the on-line survey was activated. Seven respondents declined to participate in the ONA survey. In the virtual skype or face-to-face interviews, the consent form was read to the respondents and verbal consent was obtained before initiating the interview. In addition to the standard consent form that was developed for both the on-line ONA and qualitative surveys, additional permission was obtained to record the interviews. A few respondents did not agree to be recorded but agreed to participate and the interviewer took notes during those interviews. Respondents were able to withdraw from the study or decline to answer a question at any point. To protect confidentiality, all information from the ONA and qualitative interviews was password protected and personal identifiers were not used. All responses were maintained and stored and available only to the external BGH investigator and analyst to protect confidentiality.
: Not applicable.
: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.