D. N. Shaffer, V. N. Yebei, J. B. Ballidawa, J. E. Sidle, J. Y. Greene, E. M. Meslin, S. J. N. Kimaiyo, W. M. Tierney | Journal of Medical Ethics | January 2006 | Source: NCBI-PubMed
A qualitative study with focus groups to describe the concerns and priorities of key stakeholders in a developing country regarding ethical obligations held by researchers and perceptions of equity or “what is fair” for study participants in an HIV/AIDS clinical drug trial.
Results
Eighty nine individuals participated in a total of 11 focus groups over a four month period. The desire for continued drug therapy, most often life long, following an HIV/AIDS clinical trial was the most common priority expressed in all focus groups.
Conclusion
Kenyan patients, clinician researchers, and administrators believe that it would be unfair to stop antiretroviral therapy following an HIV/AIDS clinical trial and that researchers have a long term obligation to participants.