Engaging with Community Advisory Boards (CABs) in Lusaka Zambia : perspectives from the research team and CAB members
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Background: The use of a Community Advisory Board (CAB) is one method of ensuring community engagement
in community based research. To identify the process used to constitute CABs in Zambia, this paper draws on the
perspectives of both research team members and CAB members from research groups who used CABs in Lusaka.
Enabling and restricting factors impacting on the functioning of the CAB were identified.
Methods: All studies approved by the University of Zambia Bioethics Research Committee (UBNZABREC) from
2008 – 2012 were reviewed to identify those studies that were likely to include a CAB. Eight teams with studies that
included a CAB were identified. For each of these studies, consent was obtained to conduct an informal interview
with a research team member and to obtain contact details for one CAB member. In total 14 interviews were
conducted with 8 research team members and 6 CAB members from 12–30 August 2013.
Results: Identification of potential CAB members from the community and their participation in developing the
terms of reference for CABs was perceived to have contributed to the success of the CAB. Due to the trust that the
community had in members of their community the CABs were then in a stronger position to influence
community participation in the research. Training of CAB members was identified as a factor that enhanced the
functioning of a CAB. Lack of commitment and low literacy levels of CAB members posed a threat to the role of
the CAB. Although compensation in the form of a stipend was not provided, CAB members were provided with
transport reimbursements for attending meetings.
Conclusions: Selection of CAB members from within the community contributed to community confidence in the
CAB, enhancing its ability to act as an effective link between study team and community. This contributed
positively to the conduct of the study and enhanced community awareness and acceptance of the research.
However, establishment of study specific CABs has the potential to compromise CAB independence due to support
provided by the research team in the form of transport reimbursements and other forms of support. Consideration
should be given to establishing community wide Community Advisory Boards that could function across a range of
studies to increase independent objective decision-making.
Description
CITATION: Mwinga, A. & Moodley, K. 2015. Engaging with Community Advisory Boards (CABs) in Lusaka Zambia : perspectives from the research team and CAB members. BMC Medical Ethics, 16(1): 39, doi: 10.1186/s12910-015-0031-y.
The original publication is available at http://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
The original publication is available at http://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
Keywords
Community engagement, Community advisory board, Community based participatory research, Research team