Ethical challenges for piloting sexual health programs for youth in Hammanskraal, South Africa : bridging the gap between rights and services

Abstract

This article describes challenges of conducting an HIV prevention program involving 40 male and
 female participants ages 12–18 in Hammanskraal, South Africa, aimed at increasing awareness and
 knowledge of laws protecting children’s sexual health rights and access to services through a culturally
 based “study circle” format. Challenges highlighted by the project included Institutional Review
 Board approval of youth consent procedures, cooperation and coordination with local policymakers, the
 need to modify presentation materials to youths’ comprehension levels, availability of youth-based
 sexual health service providers, and cultural ambiguity over parental involvement in youth health care
 decisions and laws pertaining to sexual relationships among minors.

Fordham University HIV and Drug Abuse Prevention Research
 Ethics Training Institute/National Institutes of Drug Abuse (R25DA031608-01; Principal Investigator, Celia B. Fisher) and by The Santander Universities/Fordham Ethics and Society Scholarship Program.

http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/hebh20

hb2016

Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G)