Table 1 African National Requirements for Assent, Parental Consent and Reconsent at Adulthood
Country | Year | Age of assent | Assent condition | Emancipated minors | Parental consent | Waivers for assent and parental consent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Algeria | 2018 | Not specified | Consent should be adopted for minors. Not stated if written or verbal assent is required | Not specified | Authorization from a single for no more than minimal risk studies. For studies that pose more than minimal risk, authorsiation is required from the familiy council | Not specified |
Botswana | 2012 | 7–17 | Not stated if written or verbal but an assent template is provided | 14–17 years and married or pregnant. If an emancipated minor consent to their child’s participation, a court order should be copied and included in the research records with the consent document | Both parents must provide consent unless one parent is deceased, unknown, incompetent, or not reasonably available: or a legal guardian For less than minimal risk studies, the REC may approve consent from one parent For greater than minimal risk studies, the REC may approve consent from one parent | Requirements for assent may be waived: •If the research offers the child, the possibility of a direct benefit and available only in the context of the research •When consent may be waived |
Cameroon | 2012 | 14–20 | Written assent Language and syntax of the assent form should be similar to that in the parental consent form | Less than 21 and married, pregnant, mother, head of household etc | For no more than minimal risk studies, consent may be obtained from at least one parent/guardian For greater than minimal risk studies, consent should be obtained from both parents except where only one parent has legal responsibility or custody of the child | Assent may be waived: •If the intervention is of direct health benefit to child and only available in the research setting •If the study meets conditions for a waiver of consent |
Democratic Republic of Congo | 2011 | 13–17 | Written assent. Researchers can decide on a higher age group for obtaining assent based on the complexity of study | Not specified | Consent from both parents or guardian | Not specified |
Ethiopia | 2014 | 12–17 | Not specified if written or verbal. However, template assent form is provided | Persons less than 18 working or earning their living, married, parenting | Consent of at least one parent, next-of-kin, or guardian | Not specified |
Gambia |  | 12–17 | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Ghana | 2015 | 8–17 Years | Written assent | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Liberia | 2019 | 15–17 | Written assent | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Malawi | 2003 | 7–17 Years | Assent tailored to the level of comprehension | Legally married and Students under a defined Malawian law | Not specified | Not specified |
Mozambique | 2014 | Above 16 | Not specified | Not specified | A legal parent or guardian | Not specified |
Nigeria | 2016 | 12–17 years | Not specified | Researchers to justify in their research protocols when a child may be declared as ‘emancipated’ Emancipated minors can give consent in their cognizance | Less than 12: Consent of both parents or the parent/legal guardian that has primary responsibility for the child at the time of research Above 12- A relevant parent/legal guardian | Waiver of parental consent may be granted for: •No more than minimal risk studies •Study holds out potential to benefit the children being involved in the study •Study objectives could not otherwise be achieved if parents have to be consented |
Rwanda | 2009 | 9–20 Years | Written assent | Not specified | A parent or legal guardian | Not specified |
South Africa | 2015 | Less than 18 | For minors less than 7 years assent form should be read to them Written assent for minors 7 years and above. The older the minor, the more the assent form should mirror the parental consent | An unmarried minor parent may not consent to their child’s participation in research as pregnancy and childbirth do not change the legal status of a minor mother | A parent or legal guardian | Parental consent may be waived •For minimal risk research in particular circumstances: •For reasons of sensitivity, like discussions about sexual activities, substance abuse in minors 16 years and older •Where recruiting enough minors may be a challenge because they may be unwilling to participate if parental permission is required |
Tanzania | 2009 | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | The permission of one parent or guardian is sufficient if consistent with the laws of the country | RECs may waive the assent requirement if: •The study involves no more than minimal risk •The study cannot be carried out without the waiver |
Sierra Leone | NA | Less than 18 to the extent of the child`s capabilities | Assent form should be similar to the informed consent form Assent form should be signed and dated by a minor who is capable of understanding | Not specified | A parent or legal representative | Not specified |
Uganda | 2014 | 8–17 years | Not specified | Mature minors are persons 14–17 years who have drug or alcohol dependency, or a sexually transmitted infection, individuals below the age of majority who are pregnant, married, have a child or cater for their own livelihood Mature and emancipated minors may independently provide informed consent as deemed necessary by REC | Parent or guardian | Not specified |
Zambia | 2013 | Not Specified | Written assent required when the minor can understand the nature and potential risks and benefits of the study | Not specified | A parent or legal guardian | Not specified |
Zimbabwe (JREC)* | 2011 | 5–18 Years * | Less than 5 (oral) 5–12 years (written tailored to child’s cognitive level) 13–18 years (same as parental consent) | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |