Conducting an Ongoing HIV Clinical Trial During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Uganda: A Qualitative Study of Research Team and Participants’ Experiences and Lessons Learnt
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Date
2023-06-20
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ
Abstract
To explore the experiences and lessons learnt
by the study team and participants of the Workplace-based
HIV self-testing among Men trial during the COVID-19
pandemic in Uganda. An explorative qualitative study comprising two
virtual focus group discussions (FGDs) with 12 trial team
members and 32 in-depth participant interviews (N=44).
Data were collected via telephone calls for in-depth
interviews or Zoom for FGDs and manually analysed by
inductive content analysis. Fourteen private security companies in two
Uganda districts. Members of the clinical trial study team, and
men working in private security companies who undertook
workplace-based HIV testing. The key themes for participants experiences
were: ‘challenges in accessing HIV treatment and care,
and prevention services’, ‘misinformation’ and ‘difficulty
participating in research activities’. The effects on HIV
treatment and prevention resulted from; repercussions of
the COVID-19 restrictions, participants fear of coinfection
and negative experiences at health facilities. The difficulty
in participating in research activities arose from m: fear of
infection with COVID-19 for the participants who tested
HIV negative, transport difficulties, limited post-test
psychosocial support and lack of support to initiate preexposure prophylaxis. The key study team reflections
focused on the management of the clinical trial, effects of
the local regulations and government policies and the need
to adhere to ethical principles of research.
Conclusions Findings highlight the need to organise
different forms of HIV support for persons living with HIV
during a pandemic. Additionally, the national research
regulators and ethics committees or review boards are
strongly urged to develop policies and guidelines for
the continuity of research and clinical trials in the event
of future shocks. Furthermore, this study calls on the
appropriate government agencies to ensure public and
researchers’ preparedness through continuing education
and support.
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Citation
Muwanguzi PA, Kutyabami P, Osingada CP, et alConducting an ongoing HIV clinical trial during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda: a qualitative study of research team and participants’ experiences and lessons learntBMJ Open 2021;11:e048825. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048825