Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
J Community Psychol. 2023 Apr;51(3):998-1015. doi: 10.1002/jcop.22951. Epub 2022 Nov 7.
Community engagement increases community trust of research and improves trial participation. However, there is limited documented appraisal of community engagement practices. Several HIV vaccine efficacy trials have been conducted in South Africa, the country most affected by HIV, predominantly in collaboration with the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN). We explored stakeholder and researcher perspectives of the HVTN community engagement practices used in the Gauteng province of South Africa. In 2017, we conducted a qualitative study. Using semi-structured interview guides, we facilitated two group discussions with Community Advisory Board (CAB) members (n = 13), and 14 in-depth interviews with HVTN-affiliated employees (n = 8 in South Africa and n = 6 in the USA). Group discussions and in-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and coded using NVIVO 12 Plus software for thematic data analysis. Overall, median age of study participants was 22 (interquartile range 32-54) years, and 74% (n = 20) were female. Three main themes about community engagement emerged: (i) community engagement as an ongoing iterative relationship between researchers and community; (ii) methods of community engagement, encompassing community education by linking with external stakeholders and through awareness campaigns by pamphlet distribution and mass events, working with communities to develop recruitment messages, and working with CAB as a link to communities; and (iii) strategies to improve community engagement, for example, using simple language, linking with religious leaders and traditional healers, and communicating via conventional (newspapers, television, and radio) and social (videos and listicles) media. Our data indicate ways for researchers to improve relationships with community by understanding local needs, strengthening collaborations, and tailoring communication strategies. In this regard, CABs signify critical linkages between researchers and communities. CABs can relay relevant health research needs, advise on the creation of suitable materials, and link researchers more effectively with community leaders and media.
社区参与可以提高社区对研究的信任度，并促进试验参与。然而，目前对社区参与实践的评估记录有限。几项艾滋病毒疫苗功效试验已在南非进行，南非是受艾滋病毒影响最严重的国家，主要与艾滋病毒疫苗试验网络（HVTN）合作。我们探讨了利益相关者和研究人员对 HVTN 在南非豪登省使用的社区参与实践的看法。2017 年，我们进行了一项定性研究。使用半结构化访谈指南，我们与社区咨询委员会（CAB）成员（n=13）共同主持了两次小组讨论，并与 HVTN 附属员工（n=8 在南非，n=6 在美国）进行了 14 次深入访谈。小组讨论和深入访谈均进行了录音，逐字记录，并翻译成英文，使用 NVIVO 12 Plus 软件对主题数据进行分析。总体而言，研究参与者的中位年龄为 22 岁（四分位距 32-54 岁），74%（n=20）为女性。社区参与出现了三个主要主题：（i）社区参与是研究人员和社区之间持续的迭代关系；（ii）社区参与方法，包括通过与外部利益相关者联系以及通过宣传册分发和大型活动进行社区教育，与社区合作制定招募信息，以及将 CAB 作为与社区联系的纽带；（iii）改善社区参与的策略，例如使用简单的语言，与宗教领袖和传统治疗师联系，以及通过传统（报纸、电视和广播）和社会（视频和清单）媒体进行沟通。我们的数据表明，研究人员可以通过了解当地需求、加强合作和调整沟通策略来改善与社区的关系。在这方面，CAB 是研究人员与社区之间的重要联系纽带。CAB 可以转达相关的健康研究需求，就合适材料的制作提供建议，并更有效地将研究人员与社区领导和媒体联系起来。
