Authors: Angwenyi V, Kamuya D, Mwachiro D, Marsh V, Njuguna P, Molyneux S.
Community engagement is increasingly emphasized in biomedical research, as a right in itself, and to strengthen ethical practice. We draw on interviews and observations to consider the practical and ethical implications of involving Community Health Workers (CHWs) as part of a community engagement strategy for a vaccine trial on the Kenyan Coast. CHWs were initially engaged as an important network to be informed about the trial. However over time, and in response to community advice, they became involved in trial information sharing and identifying potential participants; thereby taking on roles that overlapped with those of employed fieldworkers (FWs). While CHWs involvement was generally perceived as positive and appreciated, there were challenges in their relations with FWs and other community members. This extrinsic motivation had the potential to crowd out CHWs intrinsic motivation to perform their pre-existing community roles. CHWs remuneration potentially also contributed to CHWs distorting trial information to encourage community members to participate; and to researchers encouraging CHWs to utilize their social connections and status to increase the numbers of people who attended information giving sessions. Individual consent processes were protected in this trial through final information sharing and consent being conducted by trained clinical staff who were not embedded in study communities.
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Resource Topic: CHW Role, Community Health Workers/Volunteers, Community Involvement, Motivation/incentives, Performance-based incentives, Program Design, Recognition/remuneration, Recruitment and Retention
Resource Type: Journal articles, Research
Year: 2013
Region:
Country: Kenya
Publisher May Restrict Access: No