Table 2 Ethical Issues Encountered in HIV Prevention Research due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Corresponding HPTN Guidance Points (GP)
From: HIV prevention research and COVID-19: putting ethics guidance to the test
Action/Circumstance | Issues | GP |
|---|---|---|
Risk Mitigation | Physical safety of study participants, research personnel, and community partners Economic and social risks for study participants | 5 |
Behavior Change | Changes in risk behaviors influencing event rates Changes in use of PrEP and other means of prevention | 1 |
Compounding Vulnerability | COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately effects populations many of which are similarly effected by HIV/AIDS Adverse physical, psychosocial and economic effects Responding to COVID-19 at the expense of other health concerns | 7 |
Community Engagement | Need to maintain community engagement during study interruptions and pauses Challenges to community engagement | 3 |
Trial Re-opening | Potential risk of increasing COVID-19 transmission Preserving scientific validity and social value of HIV prevention research | 1, 5 |
Shifting Research Priorities | Neglecting research on other diseases Delay in identifying new effective strategies for reducing HIV acquisition in at-risk populations | 2 |