TY - JOUR PY - 2016// TI - Ethics in community-based research with vulnerable children: perspectives from Rwanda JO - PLoS one A1 - Betancourt, Theresa A1 - Smith Fawzi, Mary C. A1 - Stevenson, Anne A1 - Kanyanganzi, Fredrick A1 - Kirk, Catherine A1 - Ng, Lauren A1 - Mushashi, Christina A1 - Bizimana, Justin I. A1 - Beardslee, William A1 - Raviola, Giuseppe A1 - Smith, Stephanie A1 - Kayiteshonga, Yvonne A1 - Binagwaho, Agnes SP - e0157042 EP - e0157042 VL - 11 IS - 6 N2 - A "risk of harm" protocol to identify youth in need of immediate emergency assistance in a study on mental health and HIV in Rwanda among 680 youth ages 10-17 is described. Cases are presented that describe the experience in using this protocol to ensure safety of participants, with ethical and logistical challenges considered. Among the population of the study, 3.2% were deemed "risk of harm." The most prevalent presenting problem was non-fatal suicidal behavior (91% of risk of harm cases), with 36% having a history of a reported previous attempt. Challenges included: acute food insecurity/significant poverty; lack of support/adequate supervision from family members; family violence; alcohol abuse; and HIV-related stigma. Development of a "risk of harm" protocol and collaboration between study staff, community leadership, health authorities, and health workers are critical to ensuring participants' safety in research among vulnerable populations.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1932-6203 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157042 ID - ref1 ER -