Stadler Jonathan, Saethre Eirik
a University of the Witwatersrand, School of Clinical Medicine, Institute for Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and Related Diseases , PO Box 18512, Hillbrow 2038 , Johannesburg , South Africa.
Afr J AIDS Res. 2010 Dec;9(4):345-53. doi: 10.2989/16085906.2010.545636.
A rumour that emerged during a microbicide gel trial tells the tale of clinic staff purchasing trial participants' blood. This paper documents the rumour and explores its divergent interpretations and meanings in relation to the context of the trial and the social and economic setting at two of the trial sites (Soweto and Orange Farm) in South Africa. The article is based on qualitative research conducted during the Microbicides Development Programme (MDP) 301 trial to evaluate a microbicide vaginal gel for HIV prevention in women. The research incorporated in-depth interviews with female trial participants and their male partners, focus group discussions with male and female community members, and participant observation in the trial clinic and community setting at the two sites. The article analyses the different perspectives among the clinic staff, community and trial participants in terms of which the rumour about the exchange of blood for cash is seen as: 1) the result of ignorance of the clinical trial procedures; 2) the exploitation of poor and vulnerable women; 3) an example of young women's desire for material gain; and 4) a reciprocal exchange of 'clean blood' for cash between women trial participants and the health services. We suggest that the rumours about selling blood verbalise notions of gender and morality while also providing an appraisal of the behaviour of young women and a critique of social relationships between foreign researchers and local participants. Through stories about the clinical trial procedures and its potential reimbursements, the participants were creating and reconfiguring social relationships. Ultimately, rumours are one way in which foreign enterprises such as a clinical trial are rendered local.
在一项杀微生物剂凝胶试验期间出现的一则谣言讲述了诊所工作人员购买试验参与者血液的故事。本文记录了这则谣言，并探讨了它在试验背景以及南非两个试验地点（索韦托和奥兰治农场）的社会经济环境下的不同解读和意义。本文基于在杀微生物剂开发项目（MDP）301试验期间进行的定性研究，该试验旨在评估一种用于预防女性感染艾滋病毒的杀微生物剂阴道凝胶。该研究包括对女性试验参与者及其男性伴侣进行深入访谈，与男性和女性社区成员进行焦点小组讨论，以及在两个地点的试验诊所和社区环境中进行参与观察。本文分析了诊所工作人员、社区和试验参与者之间的不同观点，在这些观点中，关于用血液换取现金的谣言被视为：1）对临床试验程序的无知导致的结果；2）对贫穷和弱势妇女的剥削；3）年轻女性对物质利益渴望的一个例子；4）女性试验参与者与医疗服务机构之间用“干净血液”换取现金的一种互惠交换。我们认为，关于卖血的谣言表达了性别和道德观念，同时也对年轻女性的行为进行了评价，并对外国研究人员与当地参与者之间的社会关系提出了批评。通过讲述关于临床试验程序及其潜在补偿的故事，参与者们正在创造和重新构建社会关系。最终，谣言是使诸如临床试验这样的外国企业本土化的一种方式。
