To Test or Not to Test: Evaluating the Biopsychosocial and Ethical Consequences of Positive HIV Tests in a Study-enrolled Population of Kenyan Women
Authors: Hayley Merkeley, Katrina Stockley, Shannon Turvey, and Grahame Quan
(Preparing for Medical Practice Project)
Abstract
Purpose/Problem/Question
HIV/AIDS has had a devastating effect on global morbidity and mortality. Efforts to halt this pandemic have raised many ethical issues, divisible into four key areas (WHO 2004):
1) Research and clinical trials on HIV medicines and vaccines
2) Testing and counselling
3) Equitable access to prevention and treatment
4) Surveillance
This paper examines some of the ethical issues inherent in HIV clinical trials in developing countries.