Misinformation-we often deal with community members who lack information regarding clinical trials. Most of the issues we have dealt with are related to:
1. HIV infections -if a participant sero-converts while participating or if someone spreads rumours, communities may believe that the site is infecting people with HIV.
Sero-converters are referred to support groups on site however their other various support groups even though they are not widely known and also not very well funded as researchers we do have an obligation to the community in terms of empowering our participants ant their friends and family as they are one of our key stakeholders
2.Reimbursement – communities may believe that it is used to lure people into giving their specimens and blood samples for other purposes not know to them.
All these obstacles can only be addressed through continuous community education meetings, community workshops and campaigns. It is crucial as a site to target participants more as they are the first people to experience what the study is all about. Events such as chilling sessions(informal or casual discussions with participants without any clinic procedures, these are held on weekends with all study participants) are quite helpful to identify and address myths and misconceptions regarding the site and current studies.
