Baleeta, Keith http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6577-1269
Muhwezi, Augustin
Tumwesigye, Nathan
Kintu, Betty Nsangi http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7602-6483
Riese, Sara http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3090-2358
Byonanebye, Dathan http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5193-2241
Mbonye, Martin http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6363-3054
Mwehire, Daniel
Iriso, Robert
Ayebazibwe, Bernard
Bailey, Lauren http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0597-7000
Lopez, Deborah
McGough, Laura http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4649-9914
Etukoit, Michael http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7519-3180
Nantamu, Dyogo
Nakitende, Louisa
Tibengana, Baker
Wasswa, Jacob
Article History
Received: 14 May 2021
Accepted: 27 January 2023
First Online: 8 February 2023
Declarations
:
: We obtained ethical approval for the study protocol (TASOREC/014/19-UG-REC-009) from the accredited Review and Ethics Committee: The AIDS Support Organisation Review and Ethics Committee (TASO REC), whose registration number is UG-REC-009. The Uganda National Council of Science and Technology also granted regulatory clearance. This research study was purely observational (not experimental), with no removal of human tissue samples. All study participants were adults above eighteen years of age. All eligible interview participants signed a written informed consent form before participating in the study: The study research assistant conducted the informed consent process before any study procedure. Consent was performed in as private a manner as possible. The study was fully explained to prospective study participants, and written informed consent was obtained. Prospective study participants were given adequate time to consider the information presented in the informed consent form. The consent form was signed and dated, and a copy was provided to each study participant. Informed consent was documented in writing on a consent form approved by the IRB. An original English consent form was available for English-speaking study participants. For all other study participants, a Lusoga-translated version was used because Lusoga is the local language spoken by people in areas where the study clinics are located. A patient was free to withdraw from the study without penalty. Participants who could not read or write would undergo the consenting process in an impartial witness’s presence and would document approval with a thumbprint. The informed consent was read aloud in such cases. The study investigator or the investigator’s qualified designee reviewed the consent processes.Principles expressed in the <i>Declaration of Helsinki</i> were followed in the conduct of this study.
: Not applicable.
: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.