Morin Stephen F, Morfit Simon, Maiorana Andre, Aramrattana Apinun, Goicochea Pedro, Mutsambi John Michael, Robbins Jonathan Leserman, Richards T Anne
Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco CA 95105, USA.
Clin Trials. 2008;5(2):147-56. doi: 10.1177/1740774508090211.
Differences in resources, knowledge, and infrastructure between countries initiating and countries hosting HIV prevention research trials frequently yield ethical dilemmas. Community Advisory Boards (CABs) have emerged as one strategy for establishing partnerships between researchers and host communities to promote community consultation in socially sensitive research.
To understand the evolution of CABs and community partnerships at international research sites conducting HIV prevention trials.
Three research sites of the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) were selected to include geographical representation and diverse populations at risk for HIV/AIDS - in Lima, Peru; Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe; and Chiang Mai, Thailand. Data collection included review of secondary data, including academic publications and site-specific progress reports; observations at the research sites; face-to-face interviews with CAB members, research staff, and other key informants; and focus groups with study participants. Rapid assessment techniques were used for data analysis.
Two of the three CABs developed new strategies for community representation in response to new studies. All three CABs expanded their original function and became advocates for broader community interests beyond HIV prevention. The participation and input of community representatives, in response to critical incidents that occurred at the sites over the past five years, helped to solidify partnerships between researchers and communities.
Rapid Assessment is an exploratory methodology designed to provide an understanding of a situation based on the integration of multiple data sources, collected within a short period of time, without a formal examination of transcribed and coded data. Case studies, as a method, are meant to draw out what can be learned from a single case but are not, in the scientific sense, generalizable.
In developing countries, CABs can be dynamic entities that enhance the HIV research process, assist in responding to issues involving research ethics, and prepare communities for HIV research.
发起艾滋病预防研究试验的国家与开展此类试验的国家在资源、知识和基础设施方面存在差异，这常常引发伦理困境。社区咨询委员会（CABs）已成为研究人员与主办社区建立伙伴关系的一种策略，以便在社会敏感研究中促进社区协商。
了解在开展艾滋病预防试验的国际研究地点，社区咨询委员会及社区伙伴关系的发展情况。
艾滋病预防试验网络（HPTN）的三个研究地点被选中，以涵盖不同的地理位置以及面临艾滋病病毒/艾滋病风险的多样化人群——秘鲁利马、津巴布韦奇通圭扎和泰国清迈。数据收集包括对二手数据的审查，如学术出版物和特定地点的进展报告；在研究地点的观察；与社区咨询委员会成员、研究人员及其他关键信息提供者的面对面访谈；以及与研究参与者的焦点小组讨论。采用快速评估技术进行数据分析。
三个社区咨询委员会中的两个针对新研究制定了社区代表参与的新策略。所有三个社区咨询委员会都扩展了其原有功能，成为了除艾滋病预防之外更广泛社区利益的倡导者。过去五年中，针对研究地点发生的重大事件，社区代表的参与和投入有助于巩固研究人员与社区之间的伙伴关系。
快速评估是一种探索性方法，旨在通过整合在短时间内收集的多个数据源来了解一种情况，而无需对转录和编码数据进行正式审查。案例研究作为一种方法，旨在从单个案例中总结经验教训，但从科学意义上讲，并不具有普遍性。
在发展中国家，社区咨询委员会可以是充满活力的实体，能够加强艾滋病研究进程，协助应对涉及研究伦理的问题，并让社区为艾滋病研究做好准备。
