Jennifer A Wagman1, Amy Paul2, Fredinah Namatovu3, Robert Ssekubugu4, Fred Nalugoda4. 1. University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Division of Global Public Health, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-0507. 2. Department of Health Policy and Management, The Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Deering Hall, 1809 Ashland Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, Tel: 410-614-5550. 3. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine/Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden, Tel: +46 90 786 58 77. 4. Rakai Health Sciences Program, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Nakiwogo Road, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda, Tel: +256-414-321700.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We identify complexities encountered, including unanticipated crossover between trial arms and inadequate 'standard of care' violence services, during a cluster randomized trial (CRT) of a community-level intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV prevention intervention in Uganda. METHODS: Concepts in public health ethics - beneficence, social value of research, fairness, standard of care, and researcher responsibilities for post-trial benefits - are used to critically reflect on lessons learned and guide discussion on practical and ethical challenges of violence intervention CRTs. RESULTS: Existing ethical guidelines provide incomplete guidance for responding to unexpected crossover in CRTs providing IPV services. We struggled to balance duty of care with upholding trial integrity, and identifying and providing appropriate standard of care. While we ultimately offered short-term IPV services to controls, we faced additional challenges related to sustaining services beyond the 'short-term' and post-trial. CONCLUSION: Studies evaluating community-level violence interventions, including those combined with HIV reduction strategies, are limited yet critical for developing evidence-based approaches for effectively preventing IPV. Although CRTs are a promising design, further guidance is needed to implement trials that avoid introducing tensions between validity of findings, researchers' responsibilities to protect participants, and equitable distribution of CRT benefits.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: We identify complexities encountered, including unanticipated crossover between trial arms and inadequate 'standard of care' violence services, during a cluster randomized trial (CRT) of a community-level intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV prevention intervention in Uganda. METHODS: Concepts in public health ethics - beneficence, social value of research, fairness, standard of care, and researcher responsibilities for post-trial benefits - are used to critically reflect on lessons learned and guide discussion on practical and ethical challenges of violence intervention CRTs. RESULTS: Existing ethical guidelines provide incomplete guidance for responding to unexpected crossover in CRTs providing IPV services. We struggled to balance duty of care with upholding trial integrity, and identifying and providing appropriate standard of care. While we ultimately offered short-term IPV services to controls, we faced additional challenges related to sustaining services beyond the 'short-term' and post-trial. CONCLUSION: Studies evaluating community-level violence interventions, including those combined with HIV reduction strategies, are limited yet critical for developing evidence-based approaches for effectively preventing IPV. Although CRTs are a promising design, further guidance is needed to implement trials that avoid introducing tensions between validity of findings, researchers' responsibilities to protect participants, and equitable distribution of CRT benefits.
Authors: D Serwadda; R D Mugerwa; N K Sewankambo; A Lwegaba; J W Carswell; G B Kirya; A C Bayley; R G Downing; R S Tedder; S A Clayden; R A Weiss; A G Dalgleish Journal: Lancet Date: 1985-10-19 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: N K Sewankambo; R H Gray; S Ahmad; D Serwadda; F Wabwire-Mangen; F Nalugoda; N Kiwanuka; T Lutalo; G Kigozi; C Li; M P Meehan; H Brahmbatt; M J Wawer Journal: AIDS Date: 2000-10-20 Impact factor: 4.177
Authors: Mary Ellsberg; Henrica A F M Jansen; Lori Heise; Charlotte H Watts; Claudia Garcia-Moreno Journal: Lancet Date: 2008-04-05 Impact factor: 79.321