Summary of ethical issues
Potential risks to participants
There is minimal potential risk to learners associated with participation in data collection
activities such as the group cognitive interviews, in-depth interviews or completing the
questionnaires at baseline or at the two follow-ups. So far as the key informants such as
principals, teachers, parents, health care workers and police officers are concerned, there is
little potential risk from participating in in-depth interviews and focus groups or participating
in the expert consultations. Although some learners or other participants may feel
uncomfortable regarding certain aspects of the discussion, for example regarding violence or
sexuality, these issues have been widely addressed both in the media and research projects in
South Africa and Cape Town. Given this pre-existing high level of attention around violence
and sexuality, it will reduce the likelihood of participation in the study causing negative
responses.
The planned intervention will be implemented school-wide and does not involve targeted
individual intervention. All procedures are standard and have been used extensively in
previous studies in this age group. Individuals are asked to participate at their desired level of
comfort and ability. Trained and qualified research assistants will monitor all data collection.
Developing trust and a rapport with the learners and other participants by assuring them of
confidentiality of their responses should alleviate any potential discomfort. All learners will
be advised of their right to skip any questions in the interviews or on the questionnaire.
Additional safeguards will be put in place to protect the well-being of the participants of this
study. For instance, we will ensure that the members of the research team do not rush off after
completion of data collection or other activities so that they are available for learners to
approach them with any questions or concerns they may have. In the event a participant
volunteers information that they have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, the participant
will be referred to an appropriate agency such as the Family, Child and Sexual Violence Unit
(FCS) and the Office of the Commissioner for Child welfare identified prior to the start of the
study for further assessment. Follow-up will be undertaken to ensure that appropriate
reporting and measures have been taken to address the issue. Moreover, information sheets
will be provided to schools and to each learner that participates in the study that will indicate
where help can be received for various concerns they may have, for example from NGO’s, the
Family, Child and Sexual Violence Unit (FCS), voluntary counseling and testing services,
telephone hotlines, or adolescent psychiatric services. In addition, we will provide the mobile
phone number of designated members of the research team will be provided. In the event that
a learner requires more specialized services, this will be arranged by the research team.
Benefits to local communities
The goal of the present project is to promote healthy sexual practices among adolescents and
reduce the incidence of intimate partner violence. In order to achieve this, learners,
parents/caregivers, teachers, nurses and other actors in communities will be involved in an
intervention which aims at increasing knowledge, change attitudes and beliefs, increase self
efficacy (mastery), change behavioural norms, and, to the extent possible, remove contextual
barriers to safe sexual practices. We will also systematically search for features of local
cultures (norms, traditions, rituals) which may serve as a gateway to healthy sexual practices.
4
If the intervention succeeds in reaching its aims, it is hoped that it will be widely disseminated
both in Cape Town schools and in the rest of South Africa.
Summary of ethical issues
Potential risks to participants
There is minimal potential risk to learners associated with participation in data collection
activities such as the group cognitive interviews, in-depth interviews or completing the
questionnaires at baseline or at the two follow-ups. So far as the key informants such as
principals, teachers, parents, health care workers and police officers are concerned, there is
little potential risk from participating in in-depth interviews and focus groups or participating
in the expert consultations. Although some learners or other participants may feel
uncomfortable regarding certain aspects of the discussion, for example regarding violence or
sexuality, these issues have been widely addressed both in the media and research projects in
South Africa and Cape Town. Given this pre-existing high level of attention around violence
and sexuality, it will reduce the likelihood of participation in the study causing negative
responses.
The planned intervention will be implemented school-wide and does not involve targeted
individual intervention. All procedures are standard and have been used extensively in
previous studies in this age group. Individuals are asked to participate at their desired level of
comfort and ability. Trained and qualified research assistants will monitor all data collection.
Developing trust and a rapport with the learners and other participants by assuring them of
confidentiality of their responses should alleviate any potential discomfort. All learners will
be advised of their right to skip any questions in the interviews or on the questionnaire.
Additional safeguards will be put in place to protect the well-being of the participants of this
study. For instance, we will ensure that the members of the research team do not rush off after
completion of data collection or other activities so that they are available for learners to
approach them with any questions or concerns they may have. In the event a participant
volunteers information that they have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, the participant
will be referred to an appropriate agency such as the Family, Child and Sexual Violence Unit
(FCS) and the Office of the Commissioner for Child welfare identified prior to the start of the
study for further assessment. Follow-up will be undertaken to ensure that appropriate
reporting and measures have been taken to address the issue. Moreover, information sheets
will be provided to schools and to each learner that participates in the study that will indicate
where help can be received for various concerns they may have, for example from NGO’s, the
Family, Child and Sexual Violence Unit (FCS), voluntary counseling and testing services,
telephone hotlines, or adolescent psychiatric services. In addition, we will provide the mobile
phone number of designated members of the research team will be provided. In the event that
a learner requires more specialized services, this will be arranged by the research team.
Benefits to local communities
The goal of the present project is to promote healthy sexual practices among adolescents and
reduce the incidence of intimate partner violence. In order to achieve this, learners,
parents/caregivers, teachers, nurses and other actors in communities will be involved in an
intervention which aims at increasing knowledge, change attitudes and beliefs, increase self
efficacy (mastery), change behavioural norms, and, to the extent possible, remove contextual
barriers to safe sexual practices. We will also systematically search for features of local
cultures (norms, traditions, rituals) which may serve as a gateway to healthy sexual practices.
4
If the intervention succeeds in reaching its aims, it is hoped that it will be widely disseminated
both in Cape Town schools and in the rest of South Africa.
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