Ethical Issues in a Study of Bipolar Disorder and HIV Risk Among African-American Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract

African-American men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk of HIV infection, as are individuals with severe mental illness. This study was conducted at the behest of members of the African-American MSM community in Cleveland, Ohio, to assess the co-occurrence of HIV risk and bipolar disorder among African-American MSM. A sample of 125 participants was recruited via flyers and word of mouth at venues used by members of this community. Individuals were assessed for HIV risk and severe mental illness. Various ethical issues were presented, including participant capacity and voluntariness and the risk-benefit ratio. Divergent perspectives of the local institutional review board and the community advisory group with respect to the risks and benefits of participation required reconciliation before the study could proceed. Solutions for the resolution of such conflicts are discussed.

Using Skype to research literacy practices: providing opportunities for participants with mental health conditions to share their experiences

“…Participation in a study on mental health implies experience of a mental health condition, a potentially stigmatised characteristic. When participation in literacy research implies a stigmatised condition, inadvertently disclosing somebody's participation could mean disclosing the stigmatised condition to a wider community, potentially causing distress and further trauma (Loue, 2012). The risks associated with confidentiality breaches are heightened when participants are drawn from one setting, as in my study, as the chance of a participant being identifiable to a wider community is higher (Thompson and Chambers, 2012;Thompson and Russo, 2012).…”

A Pragmatic Pilot Study Of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Insomnia Among People Living With HIV

“…HIV stigma is a concern for PWH that may lead to discrimination by friends, family, employers, and even health care providers (Shacham, Rosenberg, Onen, Donovan, & Overton, 2015). The risk of stigma in research with vulnerable populations may be reduced by consulting a community advisory board (CAB) composed of members of the community being studied, which is common in the field of HIV/AIDS research, (e.g., Burkhalter et al, 2013;Fasula et al, 2013;Loue, 2012;Villarruel, Gal, Eakin, Wilkes, & Herbst, 2010). Community-engaged research varies along a continuum ranging from research with the community, where community members are seen as partners who assist with minor decisions, to community-based participatory research, where community members are seen as equal partners to investigators who share full control of study decisions, including how results are used and disseminated (Hacker, 2013).…”