1. Team, I believe that engagement efforts in the community have strong positive impact on participants experience in the trial. These efforts provide a sense in the minds of the community people that the out come of the trial is their direct contribution that they have worked towards and their fore share the benefits/achievement with the researchers.
Engagement efforts increase broad trust and buy-in the research programs by the participant and this directly impacts on the participant’s adherence to study visits. Participants get the feeling that they are secure and therefore trust the research team and they able to share with the research team any of their concerns as soon as they arise while on the study.
Prior and during the study we continue engaging with the research community about what is entailed in the study, who can participant in the study, what is done while on the study.So all this information is known by the community. So one time one of the community members who was ineligible to join the study developed an allegation our study draws much blood that leads to fainting and hospitalization. Rumor moved around the community, one participant whop is on the study called us and told us that we needed to come to the clinic to clear the rumor that is spreading like wild fire against the study.
2. CAPRISA’s comprehensive approach contributed to their success and network of relationships in such a way that it conducted targeted outreaches to educated about the trial, learn about cultural factors that might affect the trial.In addition the CAPRISA team went beyond the trial related community engagements and responded to community needs such as contributing to the development of community schools. As this point the research community appreciates the research agenda on table.
3. Joining the communities to commemorate HIV related days, supporting community based organisations that provide HIV related services, continued health education in the community, conducting community health dialogue with community members and supporting linkages to other service providers. At this level our influence is still felt and maintained in the community.
