|
|
HIV VACCINES
|
Vaccine trials foster a sense of ownership
The gold-rich areas near Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, and Hartebeesfontein in the North West Province are home to thousands of mine workers attracted to the region by the promise of steady employment. Gold mining, is in fact, the most important
source of employment in this part of the country.
But as with any large migrant work force comes added health risks, including malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and the threat of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and AIDS.
In an effort to improve the quality of health and create awareness of disease risks Aurum Health Research established a research site in the Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, and Hartebeesfontein (KOSH) District in 2002, focusing initially
on HIV and TB prevention and treatment in mineworkers.
As a natural progression from this initiative the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI) offered funding for a Community Preparedness Programme (CPP) for HIV vaccine trials which was launched in July 2004.
Surita Roux, site manager for the KOSH project and a member of the Vaccine Preparedness team explains the aims and parameters of the programme.
“Our major focus is to prepare people in the KOSH District for participation in HIV vaccine trials by way of a sustained partnership between community members and the researchers,” she said.
With this in mind the initiative:-
Encourages participation in HIV vaccine trials
Deals with community concerns about HIV vaccine trials
Provides information about HIV prevention, clinical research, rights of research participants, and vaccine trials
Because historically issues surrounding HIV and AIDS are “extremely sensitive” there is a need to use positive, proactive, culturallysensitive messages and strategies.
“Our motivation is to empower community members to make informed decisions about HIV prevention strategies and to make up their own minds about being involved in vaccine research,” said Surita.
Consultations with community leaders began in November 2003 and a Community Advisory Group (CAG) was established in March
2004.
“For the team this was a watershed time,” said Surita.
"Following a needs analysis survey of CAG members using questionnaire, the nuts and bolts of the programme were spelt out at a series of workshops with CAG members, NGOs, and CBOs, outlining HIV/AIDS, HIV vaccine trial participation, community involvement, and ethics and human rights issues. At the same time we piloted SAAVI's community education manual adapting it for use in the KOSH District."
With the foundations laid the community education activities began in July 2004 and educational activities targeting mineworkers in March 2005. On May 18 World HIV Vaccine Day community-based awareness events around the KOSH programme were held in 2004 and 2005.
“For us the most encouraging outcome of those initial stepping stones, is the enthusiastic response from the community,”
said Surita.
“CAG is very active, supportive and engaged with their work. This has brought local authorities on board and there is strong
interest from community member.” But, as Surita explains, there are still many remaining challenges, including the need
to reach all sectors and stakeholders in the district, to sustain current level of enthusiasm and community involvement and to
secure the participation of mineworkers in vaccine trials The signs are encouraging, says Surita, adding that there is a waiting
list of people interested in taking part in future HIV vaccine trials.
Vaccine Preparedness Programme gets underway. . .
Staffing
The programme is staffed by a community liaison manager and three full-time vaccine educators who conduct face-to-face, one-on-one presentations with community members, Group discussions, workshops, awareness campaigns, role play are key elements of the initiative with the snowballing technique used to disseminate information.
Looking ahead
Plans include:-
Intensifing Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) to facilitate recruitment for vaccine trials
Translating written materials into local languages
Starting vaccine discussion groups for people interested in enrolling in an HIV vaccine trial
Having the programme evaluated by social scientists from the SAAVI Socio-behavioural Working Group
Preparing for HIV Vaccine trial facilities in KOSH
Trial facilities
Three clinical vaccine research units: main unit
- Jade Square, Klerksdorp, close to CBD, opposite Klerksdorp Hospital and two satellite units
– West Vaal Hospital, Orkney, Tshepong Hospital, Klerksdorp
MCC application with registered pharmacist. Here the vaccine product will be prepared and dispensed
Research laboratory - SANAS accredited with trained staff qualified in the processing and shipping of vaccine trial material.
|
|
| © 2006-2008 Aurum Institute for Health Research: Disclaimer |
|
|
|
About Aurum
