Challenges in conducting research on sexual violence and HIV and approaches to overcome them
| Autor: | Afsoon D. Roberts, Annette Aldous, Gary L. Simon, Maria Zumer, Theresa Moriarty, Heather Devore, Catherine Hatch Schultz, Manya Magnus, Mimi Ghosh |
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| Rok vydání: | 2017 |
| Předmět: |
medicine.medical_specialty
Immunology Poison control HIV Infections Suicide prevention Occupational safety and health Article 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Research participant Immunology and Allergy Medicine Humans 030212 general & internal medicine Psychiatry 030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine Sexual violence business.industry Research Sex Offenses Obstetrics and Gynecology Human factors and ergonomics Physical abuse Reproductive Medicine Sex offense Disease Susceptibility business Biomarkers |
| Zdroj: | American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989). 78(1) |
| ISSN: | 1600-0897 |
| Popis: | Studies have implicated sexual violence as a strong correlate of HIV acquisition in women. Characterizing how such violence affects the female immune system may provide insight into the biological mechanisms of HIV transmission and ultimately improve global HIV prevention strategies. Little research has been carried out in this domain, and the obstacles to investigation can be daunting. Here, we describe methodological challenges encountered and solutions explored while implementing a study of dysregulation of immune biomarkers potentially indicative of increased HIV susceptibility in women following sexual assault. Challenges included accessing sexual assault survivors and defining sexual assault, promoting study participant well-being during research engagement, reducing selection and information bias, collecting and processing biological samples, and adjusting for confounders such as reproductive tract infections and emotional and physical abuse. We found that many survivors of sexual assault welcomed the attention from study staff and felt empowered by the opportunity to help other women at risk for violence. Well-trained research staff and well-articulated community and medical partnerships were key methods to overcoming challenges while promoting the safety and welfare of vulnerable study participants. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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