MU-JHU Community Advisory Board (CAB)

The CAB was formed in 1998 to provide a stronger link between the community within Kampala, surrounding districts and researchers. By providing a forum for discussion, MU-JHU seeks to promote research on HIV/AIDS through community engagement, mobilization, sensitization and participation. The MU-JHU CAB constitutes an adult and youth CAB which is composed of religious, cultural, women, youth and community leaders, VHTs, former study participants, PLWHIV, Young mothers, HIV prevention and treatment advocates, social workers and entertainment artists.  Membership is diverse to ensure there is adequate community representativeness and research population interests are met. The MU-JHU CAB is part of the formation of the National Cross-CAB Networking Forum that took place in 2005 in conjunction with MU-WRP, RAKAI, IAVI and the Medical Research Council.

CAB Objectives

1. To share with researchers’ community insights such as beliefs, myths and knowledge gaps about HIV/AIDS and other diseases, research interests, high risk behaviors, hotspots, and challenges
2. To provide community feedback on research activities and share real-life experiences
3. To provide input to protocol drafts, Informed consent and recruitment materials
4. Mobilize community stakeholders for research planned activities such as community stakeholder’s meetings, community dialogues, World AIDS Day and results dissemination
5.  Attend CAB meetings, capacity strengthening training, regional and international NIH sponsored meetings.

CAB Engagement

CAB members meet on a regular basis at the MUJHU research center to discuss on-going and upcoming studies, CAB updates, challenges, and suggestions to address community engagement, recruitment, retention and participant challenges.    When a new study is presented, the CAB ask questions to ensure they understand the study and whether the government is aware that the drug used is safe for the population.   They also discuss the informed consent and ensure each section is adequately explained and enables decision making, the language and words used are acceptable, confidentiality, safety and wellbeing of the participant are not compromised. The CAB have attended several results dissemination meetings for completed studies and received key messages to share in the communities.  The CAB is advocates for post-trial access plans to ensure interested participants receive the tested products.   Currently there are three CAB members serving on HIV on Regulatory Ethics Committees as community representatives and one member on the National Care and Prevention advocacy group.   Capacity strengthening training is a critical component for the CAB to perform their role sufficiently and takes place annually. 

For more information, contact us at  partnerships@mujhu.org