%0 Journal Article
%T Experiences in conducting multiple community-based HIV prevention trials among women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
%A Gita Ramjee
%A Nicola Coumi
%A Nozizwe Dladla-Qwabe
%A Shay Ganesh
%A Sharika Gappoo
%A Roshini Govinden
%A Vijayanand Guddera
%A Rashika Maharaj
%A Jothi Moodley
%A Neetha Morar
%A Sarita Naidoo
%A Thesla Palanee
%J AIDS Research and Therapy
%D 2010
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1742-6405-7-10
%X Our experience in conducting these trials ranged from setting up community partnerships to developing clinical research sites and dissemination of trial results. Community engagement included setting up community-based research sites with approval from both political and traditional leaders, and developing community advisory groups to assist with the research process. Community-wide education on HIV/sexually transmitted infection prevention, treatment and care was provided to over 90 000 individuals. Myths and misconceptions were addressed through methods such as anonymous suggestion boxes in clinic waiting areas and intensive education and counselling. Attempts were made to involve male partners to foster support and facilitate recruitment of women. Peer educator programmes were initiated to provide ongoing education and also to facilitate recruitment of women to the trials. Recruitment strategies such as door-to-door recruitment and community group meetings were initiated. Over 90% of women enrolled were retained.Community benefits from the trial included education on HIV prevention, treatment and care and provision of ancillary care (such as Pap smears, reproductive health care and referral for chronic illnesses). Social benefits included training of home-based caregivers and sustainable ongoing HIV prevention education through peer educator programmes.Several challenges were encountered, including manipulation by participants of their eligibility criteria in order to enroll in the trial. Women attempted to co-enroll in multiple trials to benefit from financial reimbursements and individualised care. The trials became ethically challenging when participants refused to take up referrals for care due to stigma, denial of their HIV status and inadequate health infrastructure. Lack of disclosure of HIV status to partners and family members was particularly challenging. Some of the ethical dilemmas put to the test our responsibility as researchers and our obligation t
%U http://www.aidsrestherapy.com/content/7/1/10