Community Advisory Committee On Aids Research And Prevention Work In Bioethics Significance

Research Background.Beyond its biological effects,AIDS is associated with a range of psychological and social issues.As such,in approaching AIDS research and prevention,one must address many ethical concerns,for example,those related to social discrimination against patients with HIV/AIDS,informed consent,and confidentiality in clinical trials and research.Properly dealing with these ethical issues is essential in confronting the challenges in AIDS research and prevention.The Community Advisory Board(CAB),as the bridge between research and the community,has played a very important role in many respects,by protecting participants' rights,respecting the community's culture,and balancing the community's risk and benefit,all of which serve to help AIDS research and prevention progress smoothly.The concept of a CAB,an accepted and recognized model of community participation throughout the world,is a firmly established component of research and behavior intervention programs.And,in recent years,with the advancement of prevention programs and increasing cooperation with international organizations,the CAB has become increasingly involved in prevention programs in China.According to incomplete statistics,CABs have been set up in five provinces,including Guangxi,Yunnan,Anhui,Shanxi and Xinjiang. Surveys of personnel in the organizations for disease control and prevention in these five provinces have shown that CAB play a very important role in AIDS research and prevention.There is little literature on the ethical significance of CABs in AIDS research and prevention in China.However,as AIDS prevention efforts in China progress,it is essential to describe the current state of CABs,their members,roles,and missions.This will help refine the status of the CAB in AIDS control and prevention in China.Results:1.CAB members:groups were generally 10-20 members, mainly consisting of health management representatives from AIDS research program sites,women's organizations,infected individuals, community leaders and community health worker.Generally, according to the needs of program,a given CAB's members were individuals of high standing in the community.They were selected by representatives from the CDC and board of health.2.The status quo of CAB management:Each CAB has a charter document and work plan.On average,CAB meetings have an attendance of 80%.During each meeting,most members can voice their opinions,to an extent commensurate with their status within the CAB.Generally,meetings are funded by the local CDC.3.Current roles of CABs:being the bridge between program researcher and petitioner;facilitating informed consent;and handling transfer of information.In addition,CABs also provide training for certain populations,and oversee public dissemination of policy.Conclusion:At present,the composition of CABs tends to vary in accordance with the target populations of programs at their sites.And, just as each program's requirements of its CAB vary,so does the degree of support each program lends to its CAB.In practice,the main responsibilities of CABs are:to assist the program with staff rescue;to handle informed consent and information feedback;and to publicize the program.Guangxi was the first province to establish a CAB,and has since gained much experience CAB management and local practice.There is currently a shortage of CABs,likely a result of several major obstacles:CAB funds are limited;most CAB members are of poor literacy and training;and within CABs there is sub-optimal communication.All of these factors impede CAB effectiveness and must be overcome to ensure the advancement of existing programs and CAB work.