Developing an ethical framework for the recruitment of people who inject drugs experiencing incarceration in HIV prevention research: a qualitative study

• Published in: Harm reduction journal 2024-12, Vol.21 (1), p.223
• Main Authors: Murphy, Matthew, Gomes, Nyx, Kane, Kimberly, Rich, Josiah D, Goldsamt, Lloyd, Ahluwalia, Jasjit S, Guthrie, Kate M, Ramsey, Susan E, Vargas, Sara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1477-7517; 1477-7517
• DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01138-z

HIV disproportionately impacts people who experience incarceration. Incarceration represents an opportunity to engage in HIV prevention care for individuals who often experience a number of barriers accessing health services in the community. The development of evidence-based practices promoting pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention (PrEP) is crucial for ending the HIV epidemic within this highly marginalized population. However, PrEP research within carceral facilities has been limited and is hampered in part by the lack of ethical guidance on conducting HIV prevention research in this unique setting where incarcerated individuals are categorized as a vulnerable population requiring specific protections. This lack of knowledge is particularly striking when considering the lack of input from incarcerated individuals themselves on the responsible conduct of research, which is critical to understanding ways to ensure participant autonomy while avoiding coercive practices in research activities.BACKGROUNDHIV disproportionately impacts people who experience incarceration. Incarceration represents an opportunity to engage in HIV prevention care for individuals who often experience a number of barriers accessing health services in the community. The development of evidence-based practices promoting pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention (PrEP) is crucial for ending the HIV epidemic within this highly marginalized population. However, PrEP research within carceral facilities has been limited and is hampered in part by the lack of ethical guidance on conducting HIV prevention research in this unique setting where incarcerated individuals are categorized as a vulnerable population requiring specific protections. This lack of knowledge is particularly striking when considering the lack of input from incarcerated individuals themselves on the responsible conduct of research, which is critical to understanding ways to ensure participant autonomy while avoiding coercive practices in research activities.In order to gain a better understanding of ethical approaches to the conduct of HIV prevention research among incarcerated individuals, we conducted qualitative interviews with 21 incarcerated men who reported injecting drugs and met clinical criteria for PrEP use. The interview topics included HIV knowledge, PrEP knowledge, stigma, and perceptions related to ethical research practices.METHODSIn order to gain a better understanding of ethical approaches to the