Abstract:
Background: There is need to apply ethical principle of justice during research. Justice is doing what is morally
right and proper treatment of persons. It is not easy to maintain justice in research in limited resource setting.
The objectives of this study were to assess the IREC guidelines, examine the factors that AMPATH researchers
consider and explore the challenges encountered by IREC members in facilitation of application of the principle
of justice in HIV research. Method: Between June and August 2016 in-depth interviews were conducted using
unstructured interview guide with 16 researchers from MTRH who worked at AMPATH and 5 members of
IREC who were purposively selected to participate in a cross sectional exploratory qualitative study. Interviews
were audio- recorded transcribed and content manually analyzed. Results: IREC guidelines were clearly
documented and available. The researchers considered IREC requirements for proposal, how to engage
participants in research and the knowledge of community members about research. IREC encountered
challenges of lack of expertise in approving some research protocols, meeting timelines for feedback to
researchers, in ability to monitor approved studies and researchers’ attitude issues. Conclusion: IREC members
and researchers are knowledgeable about justice in research. IREC’s work could be compromised by financial
limitations. Researchers are struggling with challenges associated with low income in the communities, their
attitudes and lack of practical skills. Researchers need training on the skills of carrying out research in specific
contexts and sensitize them on the role of IREC as a facilitator of ethical research.
