Setting the research agenda: involving parents in research on children who are HIV‐free

Bibliographic Details
Title: Setting the research agenda: involving parents in research on children who are HIV‐free
Authors: Laurette L. Bukasa, Angelina Namiba, Matilda Brown, Estelle Ndu'ngu, Mercy Nangwale, Gillian Letting, Patricia Chirwa, Claire Thorne, Shema Tariq
Source: Journal of the International AIDS Society, Vol 26, Iss S4, Pp n/a-n/a (2023)
Publisher Information: Wiley, 2023.
Publication Year: 2023
Collection: LCC:Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Subject Terms: public engagement, co‐production, women, children, community, HIV, Immunologic diseases. Allergy, RC581-607
More Details: Abstract Introduction There is growing interest in health, developmental and survival outcomes of children who are born HIV‐free to women living with HIV (children born HIV‐free). To date, the research agenda has been largely determined by researchers, funders and policy makers, with limited involvement of parents, who are key stakeholders. Researchers at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health in partnership with community‐based organisation 4M Network of Mentor Mothers conducted two workshops with parents in March 2022 to establish research priorities for children born HIV‐free, and key considerations for methodological approaches both to research and engagement with the affected communities. Discussion When exploring research on children born HIV‐free, we consider the following: what aspects of current research are aligned with women and parents’ priorities, what is missing and what approaches would be preferred. A holistic approach to research on children born HIV‐free should be prioritised, focussing on a breadth of outcomes and how they intersect. Secondary use of existing data sources should be maximised to facilitate this, with a view of monitoring the long‐term effects of fetal antiretroviral drug exposure alongside other key health and developmental outcomes. Involving and engaging with parents, and children where possible, must be at the heart of research design to maximise relevance and impact of findings for the affected communities. Potential barriers to engaging with individuals who were children born HIV‐free include parental disclosure and individuals not identifying as a child born HIV‐free to a mother living with HIV. Stigma‐free language must be incorporated into the vocabulary of researchers and other stakeholders, avoiding reference to exposure; we propose the term “children born HIV‐free.” Conclusions Mothers and parents living with HIV should be involved in research about their children born HIV‐free and are key in identifying research priorities so that findings may translate into an impact on their children's health and wellbeing. Meaningful involvement of women living with HIV through trusted community partners is an effective mechanism by which to elicit views on research about their children.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1758-2652
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1758-2652
DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26150
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/1d4d02c6842442c3a787b432e98549c5
Accession Number: edsdoj.1d4d02c6842442c3a787b432e98549c5
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:17582652
DOI:10.1002/jia2.26150
Published in:Journal of the International AIDS Society
Language:English