Mabunda, Sikhumbuzo A. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9458-3742
Sigovana, Khuthala
Chitha, Wezile
Apalata, Teke
Nomatshila, Sibusiso
Funding for this research was provided by:
South African Medical Research Council (MRC-RFA-CC01-2014)
Article History
Received: 27 June 2020
Accepted: 27 December 2020
First Online: 13 January 2021
Ethics approval and consent to participate
: The Walter Sisulu University Human Ethics and Biosafety Committee granted ethical clearance and approval for the study to be conducted with ethics approval number (052/2016). The Eastern Cape Provincial Health Research Committee granted permission for the study to be conducted (EC_2016RP27_272). District managers of Chris Hani and OR Tambo Districts as well as the operational managers of the facilities concerned also granted permission for the study to be conducted. In addition to the fact that each participant gave informed written consent; confidentiality was maintained abiding by the four ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Participants under the age of 18 were included after providing written consent from both themselves and their parents or guardians.
: No personal identifiers or participants’ images are contained in this study. The consent did however mention that findings would be disseminated to scientific audience, lay audience and policy makers.
: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.