CAPRISA followed the GPP guidelines by involving the stakeholders right from the start and they further worn the study population’s trust and confidence by addressing their needs such as building schools and engaged them in non HIV related activities pre/ post the trial period.
In our site we have not been able to sustain such non HIV related activities and more so post the trial period like the CAPRISA did since the budget is specific to various specific studies within a set up period of time. However the community has benefited from PEPHAR Program, through HIV prevention trainings, renovation and equipping of dispensaries/Medical Centers, HIV care and treatment and mitigation of impact through OVC program.
Empowering the community to own the activities post the trial period can help sustain the relationship in resources limited settings. Ownership will take place if the engagement was initiated right from the start of the trial and broader stakeholders involved.
