​​​​​Division of ​Medical Ethics and Law​

Research​​​​​​

Ethical and Social Implications of HIV Cure Research


      Phase 1 - Literature review at sites

  • University of North Carolina, Guangzhou – China, Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, Stellenbosch University.
  • Pilot study: 15 Qualitative Interviews completed.
  • Brocher Foundation seminar – 5-7 May 2014, Geneva, Switzerland

    Phase 2 – Empirical research

  • 25 key informant interviews, South Africa – completed.
  • An educational video and information brochures have been produced to inform patients about HIV cure research – see the link and documents below.
  • The educational video was subjected to an assessment of efficacy in a before and after study – completed: 92 patients interviewed at Tygerberg Hospital and at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, and a further 23 patients interviewed at Tygerberg.

    Phase 3 – Empirical research

  • 26 stakeholder interviews were completed, and 2 focus group discussions have been conducted. This data has been analysed and will be published in peer-reviewed journals shortly.
  • Stakeholder education, engagement and dialogue, with the aim of developing an online forum, is in progress.
  • A fieldworker attends a clinic 3 times per week to discuss the HIV cure video, hold discussions regarding HIV and HIV Cure research, and provide information to those in the waiting area. Pamphlets in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa are handed out, and questions asked by the patients are answered to give correct information and debunk myths that still exist regarding HIV.
  • An interactive act​ivity book on HIV and HIV Cure research was developed as part of a student project, and piloted in two schools in the local area in 2017. It was used in grade 9 classes as an educational tool, and met with great enthusiasm. Students entered an essay competition and the winner was awarded a tablet. This activity book is being taken forward and discussions are in place to roll out the activity book to more schools in 2018.
  • Interactive learning modules have been developed to be used in a clinic in Tygerberg hospital. These modules contain a short video, after which multiple    choice questions are asked with the aim of improving knowledge and raising awareness of HIV and HIV Cure research. The modules will be piloted and rolled out in early 2018.
For regular updates see: http://searchiv.web.unc.edu/

An educational video and information brochures have been produced to inform patients about HIV cure research – see the links below.

 

Community Engagement Activities​​

Educational Video: "Imagine a World Without HIV"

https://youtu.be/oNfw9n5nBtU. The video is available with Afrikaans and isiXhosa subtitles.

 

Fieldworker​​

 

A fieldworker is employed 3 days per week in the FAMCRU clinic to engage patients around:

·         The HIV Cure video

·         HIV prevention, management and cure pamphlets

Educational pamphlets

These pamphlets are available in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa

 

HIV Cure Research.pdf

Preventing HIV Infection.pdf

Managing HIV Infection.pdf

Pre Exposure Prophylaxis.pdf 


 

HIV Cure Activity Book

The War against HIV- activity book.pdf


Essay Writing Competitions

​Two essay writing competitions were held in 2017:

1. One was held with patients in the FAMCRU clinic entitled: What would an HIV cure mean to you? ​

2. The second was held among health science students at the Tygerberg Medical Campus, entitled: Novel and Innovative ways to engage communities in HIV cure research.

student essay writing competition.jpgchad winner.jpg

 

Educational Online Tool

The CMEL has developed an online educational tool for patients at the FAMCRU clinic, Tygerberg, using a touchscreen interface. This tool consists of a series of educational modules on HIV management, prevention and cured research, with each module followed by a short quiz.​

tim brown vid screenshot.png


 

Ethics essay competitions

HIV prize winner- CE.jpg ​