Attitudes and Perceptions about the Research and Ethics Committee in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

The Makerere University Faculty of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee reviews and approves more than 100 new research protocols a year, yet its activities had never been evaluated as far as the researchers are concerned. Methods and results This was a cross sectional study at Makerere University Faculty of Medicine and Mulago Teaching Hospital. The survey population included all staff involved in research at the post graduate level and faculty. Most of the respondents agreed that decisions of the REC were binding 53 (75.7%),15 (21%) hold that were variable and 2(2.9%) biased. The biased attitudes of researchers regarding protocol review reduces as researchers present more protocols to the REC.