IBBS Field operations and monitoring manual English

Integrated Behavioral and Biological SurveillanceField Operations and Monitoring Manual7 Ethical ConsiderationsThe following ethical issues should befollowed:Participation will be voluntary and no coercionshould be used in the recruitment process.Anyone wishing to find out about the surveyshould be allowed to contact the studycoordinator or members of the local researchteam. All participants should be given athorough briefing on the behavioralsurveillance survey and an explanation of theprocedures, including data collection andstorage and dried blood spot collection,transport and storage. All participants will beinformed of the procedures that would ensuretheir confidentiality.7.1 Informed ConsentInformed verbal consent should beobtained prior to entry into the survey.Use the standard consent form at thebeginning of the questionnaire.The interviewer before starting theinterview should read out loud the consentform to the participant.Kindly make sure that the respondent hasunderstood every part of informedconsent.Kindly emphasize the purpose of the riskbehavior survey (i.e., the objectives), thepotential risks involved (i.e., duringcollection of the blood spots), andwillingness to complete the interview andprovide a finger-prick blood sample.All participants should be informed of theirright to refuse to answer any questionswith which they do not feel comfortable;withdraw from the survey at any timeduring the interview or blood spotcollection.All participants should be informed thatwithdrawal from the survey would notaffect their care or access to services intheir community.The interviewer subsequently signs theappropriate place on the questionnaire toindicate that consent was obtained beforeproceeding with data collection.7.2 ConfidentialityThe following measures should be taken toe n s u r e a n d m a i n t a i n p a r t i c i p a n t s 'confidentiality.Do not take any identification information,i.e., name, address, contact information,etc., from the respondent at any stage ofthe study.Do not ask for written consent.All survey-related material (e.g.,completed questionnaires) should be keptin a secure and locked cabinet at thesurvey field offices and should be29