Kawata, Rina
Endo, Masayuki
Ohashi, Kazutomo
Article History
Received: 16 February 2022
Accepted: 23 May 2022
First Online: 31 May 2022
Declarations
:
: This study was approved by the ethics committee of Osaka University Hospital (approval number 15488-2). All methods were carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Ethics Committee of Osaka University and the Declaration of Helsinki. We explained the following items to the participants using the Nepalese version of the survey cooperation request form: study outline (subjects, purposes, and methods), handling of personal information, name of research institute, method of information storage and disposal, counselling for participants and related persons, burden on participants, predicted risks and benefits, conflicts of interest, and right to and method to refuse participation in the study. The survey was conducted anonymously; thus, the data cannot be matched to individuals. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants after which questionnaires were distributed to them. The Nepalese assistants explained each question and helped the participants to answer them. All questionnaires and data were treated as confidential information. Questionnaires were strictly kept in a locked storage container, and we stored the data in a USB drive and analysed it as digitised data using a computer that was detached from all network. The data storage period is 5 years from the end of the study. After the storage period, the questionnaire sheets would be shredded, and the data on the USB drive would be erased irreversibly. The questionnaire contains questions that require the provision of sensitive information, and this could make a participant feel uneasy. Thus, we stated in the explanatory document that refusal to participate in the study or decision to quit the study was allowed and that it would not be disadvantage. When participants asked the researchers and research assistants about health problems related to the study, a supervisor (gynecologist) was available as a member of the research team to advise them. Regardless of participants’ decision to continue or discontinue with the study, all participants were given gift items, such as eco bags and soap.
: Not applicable.
: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.