Chitha, Wezile
Sibulawa, Siyabonga
Funani, Itumeleng
Swartbooi, Buyiswa
Maake, Kedibone
Hellebo, Assegid
Hongoro, Danleen
Mnyaka, Onke R.
Ngcobo, Ziyanda
Zungu, Christopher M.
Sithole, Nomfuneko
Godlimpi, Lizo
Nomatshila, Sibusiso C.
Mabunda, Sikhumbuzo A.
Essel, Vivien
Funding for this research was provided by:
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation (1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028, 1028)
Article History
Received: 25 September 2022
Accepted: 28 February 2023
First Online: 9 March 2023
Declarations
:
: Ethical approval was obtained from the faculties of health sciences of Walter Sisulu University Human Research Ethics and Biosafety Committee (reference: 040/2020) and from the University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee (M210211). Access approval was obtained from the Eastern Cape (reference: EC_202010_012) and support of the hospital management. The study was conducted in accordance with The Word Medical Association (WMA) of Declaration of Helsinki guidelines for good clinical practice in the conduct of human participants in South Africa and adopted the ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. Written informed consent was obtained from participants. The informed consent process was implemented with an independent third person (the ‘witness’) for illiterate participants or when translation is required, for example, patients who use sign language. In this instance where a witness is required, the witness will sign the consent form together with the participant and the researcher.
: No applicable.
: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.