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

Abstract #114869

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

Background

Researchers collect data from children to assess their needs, develop appropriate services, and promote their rights to health, education, and an adequate standard of living.

While the aim of such activities may be to improve children's welfare, qualitative and quantitative research methods (including surveys and focus group discussions) may inadvertently violate other fundamental human rights of children, such as rights to privacy and protection from abuse. Researchers experienced in protecting the rights of adult informants may be unaware of children's special vulnerabilities.

Methodology

Researchers and service providers took part in a consultation highlighting the special vulnerabilities of young people involved in research in international settings.

Results

Contributors to the multi-disciplinary consultation used the frameworks of accepted principles of research ethics and human rights to suggest practical safeguards to protect children. The presentation will examine how gathering information to improve children's circumstances can avoid further violation of their rights to protection from abuse and exploitation. Gathering information within a participatory framework that recognizes and responds to children's views contributes to the protection of their rights. However, extra precautions are often needed to protect children, who may otherwise be unaware or unable to protect themselves.

Conclusion

Child informants have less access to information, funding, and other resources than adult investigators. Researchers gathering information from children must take strict precautions to protect children and avoid jeopardizing them emotionally and physically. If appropriate safeguards cannot be put into place to protect the rights of young people, the activity should not proceed.

Learning Objectives: