Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (Kenya)

ABSTRACT: involving vulnerable pediatric popula-tions in international research requires culturally appro-priate ethical protections. We sought to use mabaraza, traditional East African community assemblies, to under-stand how a community in western Kenya viewed partici-pation of children in health research and informed consent and assent processes. Results from 108 partici-pants revealed generally positive attitudes towards involv-ing vulnerable children in research, largely because they assumed children would directly benefit. Consent from parents or guardians was understood as necessary for par-ticipation while gaining child assent was not. They felt other caregivers, community leaders, and even commu-nity assemblies could participate in the consent process. Community members believed research involving orphans and street children could benefit these vulnerable popula-tions, but would require special processes for consent