Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114803

Katie Schenk, MA, MSc, Horizons/Population Council, 4301 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 280, Washington, DC 20008, (202) 237-9400, kschenk@pcdc.org, Tapfuma Murove, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Queensberry House, 104-106 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XF, United Kingdom, and Jan Williamson, Independent Consultant, 4110 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23225.

Issues

Millions of children worldwide are affected and orphaned by AIDS. Orphaned and vulnerable children are often exposed to abuse, stigma, and violence. Researchers collect data from these young people to develop appropriate support services. However, many ethical challenges arise when collecting such data, as researchers try to balance the need to both seek out children's opinions and minimize intrusive and potentially harmful interviewing.

Description

A multi-disciplinary consultation sought input from researchers and service providers to examine and address ethical implications of research with children affected by HIV/AIDS in international settings.

Lessons Learned

The presentation will discuss specific ethical challenges arising from research among children affected by HIV/AIDS, including seeking informed consent when a child's parents are sick or deceased; obtaining information about a distressing experience such as the illness or death of a parent; and avoiding stigmatizing children orphaned by AIDS.

Recommendations

Based on existing principles of ethics and human rights, researchers should establish a process to explain the research activity to the local community, including children, and involve them in anticipating and safeguarding against possible adverse consequences. If appropriate safeguards cannot be put into place to the satisfaction of the community that meet internationally accepted standards, the activity should not proceed.

Need for safeguards to protect children affected by HIV/AIDS during research activities, highlighting the heightened responsibilities of team members at all stages of the research process.

Learning Objectives: