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How community members in Uganda perceive controlled human infection studies
Winfred Nazziwa1, Stella Neema1, Alison Elliot2
1Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Research Ethics
|May 11, 2026
Summary
Controlled Human Infection studies show promise for developing new medicines, but community members in Uganda express concerns about safety and trust. Effective engagement is crucial for acceptance in low-resource settings.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Global Health
Background:
- Controlled Human Infection (CHI) studies are emerging research methods, especially in low-resource settings.
- Limited literature exists on community perceptions of CHI studies in these regions.
- Understanding community views is vital for ethical research implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore community perceptions of Controlled Human Infection studies in central Uganda.
- To identify factors influencing community acceptance or rejection of CHI research.
- To inform strategies for community engagement in CHI studies.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory qualitative study using 16 focus group discussions.
- Involved 107 diverse community members in Kampala and Buikwe district, Uganda.
- Data analyzed using a systematic inductive analysis approach.
Main Results:
- Community members recognized the potential of CHI studies for developing therapeutics for infectious diseases.
- A majority found the deliberate infection method currently difficult to accept.
- Key barriers included fear of death, long-term consequences, infrastructure, mistrust, and cultural/religious beliefs.
Conclusions:
- Community acceptance of CHI studies in low-resource settings is currently low.
- Effective, contextually appropriate community engagement is essential to build trust and awareness.
- Addressing community concerns is critical for the future implementation of CHI studies.
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