Data analysis

Descriptive statistics were calculated with the mean for variables that were normally distributed, and the median and interquartile range (IQR) for variables influenced by extreme values. To compare proportions, chi-square (χ2) statistics were used, and Student’s t-tests were used to analyze continuous variables. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software (version 20.0; SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study received approval from the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College ethical committee (approval no. 2421).