Oral Consent Script for Evaluation of a Program to Prevent Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia through Calcium Supplementation for Pregnant Women in Nepal

The script is part of a study led by Principal Investigator Kusum Thapa, with IRB No. 00004332. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of calcium supplementation for pregnant women in Nepal. The District Public Health Office in Dailekh district, in collaboration with Nepal Family Health Program II and the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program, has distributed calcium tablets to pregnant women during antenatal care services. The oral consent script begins with an introduction by the research assistant, who confirms the identity of the head of the household. The assistant explains that the study aims to screen recently delivered women and gather information about their experiences with antenatal care services, including the receipt of calcium supplements during pregnancy. The script emphasizes the confidentiality of the study and assures participants that their names and residences will not be shared with anyone outside the study. The assistant also explains that participating in the study will not provide any direct benefits to the participants, but may contribute to the improvement of antenatal care services in Nepal. The script outlines the potential risks associated with participation, including the possibility of someone overhearing the conversation and compromising the participant's privacy. The assistant assures participants that they are free to participate or not, and can stop the interview at any time if they feel uncomfortable or distressed. The script also provides contact information for the Principal Investigator and the Nepal Health Research Council, which participants can use to ask questions or report any problems with the study. The assistant concludes by asking for the participant's permission to proceed with the survey.