Which communities?
Which
communities are often included in biomedical
HIV prevention research?
Communities impacted by HIV are often affected by HIV prevention research, and given the speed and ease of global communications, there are many ways for communities worldwide to be included in discussions, debates, and decisions around biomedical HIV prevention research. In the countries and communities where HIV prevention research trials take place, there should be more specific types of community engagement, many of which are described in the Good Participatory Practice Guidelines.
In addition to involvement as advocates and activists, communities may also be asked to participate in research. To show if experimental interventions prevent HIV from spreading from one person to another, they must be tested in human beings and in communities where there are new HIV infections. A study conducted in a community where there were few new infections wouldn't be able to answer a question about whether a new strategy prevented infections. Additionally, ethics demands that these new strategies be tested for safety and effectiveness in populations who are in need of these interventions and likely to use them. If scientists test these experimental interventions in only one group of people, it may be difficult to know if the intervention will also work and be safe for other or all groups of people.
All of this means that biomedical HIV prevention trials are often conducted in populations where there are high rates of new HIV infections. Because HIV risk relates to other structural factors like poverty and social marginalization, communities facing these issues are often asked to participate in research. This raises a range of complex issues that must be addressed as part of the design and execution of the trial.
Researchers and communities working together
There are many ways for communities worldwide to be included in discussions, debates, and decisions around biomedical HIV prevention research. In many instances, biomedical HIV prevention research entities such as trial sponsors, trial networks, and trial sites are seeing the value in actively seeking community input and collaboration in the planning and conduct of their trials. Most research entities now have programs, staff members, and guidelines dedicated to community engagement. Additionally, in November 2007, AVAC and UNAIDS released Good Participatory Practice (GPP) Guidelines for biomedical HIV prevention trials which provide systematic guidance on the roles and responsibilities of trial sponsors and trial implementers towards participants and their communities. The guidelines identify core principles, essential issues, and minimum elements of how stakeholders should plan and evaluate community engagement in biomedical HIV prevention trials.
For examples of what some research entities are doing with regards to community engagement, see below:
Is your organization working on engaging communities in HIV prevention research and/or related issues?
Please tell us about your organization so we can include it here.
Get involved - Take Action
Communities impacted by HIV are often affected by HIV prevention research, and given the speed and ease of global communications, there are many ways for communities worldwide to be included in discussions, debates, and decisions around biomedical HIV prevention research. In the countries and communities where HIV prevention research trials take place, there should be more specific types of community engagement, many of which are described in the Good Participatory Practice Guidelines.
In addition to involvement as advocates and activists, communities may also be asked to participate in research. To show if experimental interventions prevent HIV from spreading from one person to another, they must be tested in human beings and in communities where there are new HIV infections. A study conducted in a community where there were few new infections wouldn't be able to answer a question about whether a new strategy prevented infections. Additionally, ethics demands that these new strategies be tested for safety and effectiveness in populations who are in need of these interventions and likely to use them. If scientists test these experimental interventions in only one group of people, it may be difficult to know if the intervention will also work and be safe for other or all groups of people.
All of this means that biomedical HIV prevention trials are often conducted in populations where there are high rates of new HIV infections. Because HIV risk relates to other structural factors like poverty and social marginalization, communities facing these issues are often asked to participate in research. This raises a range of complex issues that must be addressed as part of the design and execution of the trial.
Researchers and communities working together
There are many ways for communities worldwide to be included in discussions, debates, and decisions around biomedical HIV prevention research. In many instances, biomedical HIV prevention research entities such as trial sponsors, trial networks, and trial sites are seeing the value in actively seeking community input and collaboration in the planning and conduct of their trials. Most research entities now have programs, staff members, and guidelines dedicated to community engagement. Additionally, in November 2007, AVAC and UNAIDS released Good Participatory Practice (GPP) Guidelines for biomedical HIV prevention trials which provide systematic guidance on the roles and responsibilities of trial sponsors and trial implementers towards participants and their communities. The guidelines identify core principles, essential issues, and minimum elements of how stakeholders should plan and evaluate community engagement in biomedical HIV prevention trials.
For examples of what some research entities are doing with regards to community engagement, see below:
- HIV Prevention Trials Network
- International Partnership for Microbicides
- HIV Vaccine Trials Network
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
Is your organization working on engaging communities in HIV prevention research and/or related issues?
Please tell us about your organization so we can include it here.
Get involved - Take Action