Front-line research staff experiences when implementing hospital and community-based studies in Blantyre during the Covid-19 epidermic (EXPLORA), version 1.0
Date
2022-08-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of study: A cross-sectional qualitative study.
Problem statement: Front line research staff play a major role of ensuring that the collected data is credible and
answering the research question. The coming of COVID -19 has affected study activities
because of the measures imposed to prevent the spread of the virus. Experiences of front-line
research staff on implementation of hospital and community-based studies in Malawi is not
heard due to lack of information on the published data on the studies conducted in this area.
Conducting a qualitative study aimed at exploring their work experience during the COVID -
19 pandemic will shed more light on the issues affecting their work. Most studies are focused
on participant and stakeholders’ involvement in research projects but the views of the front -
line research staff who play a major role in study activities are not heard(1). Main objective
To assess the experiences of front-line research staff on study implementation during COVID-19 pandemic in KUHeS
affiliates in Blantyre and explore strategies to be adopted in future pandemics. Specific objectives
• To experiences of front-line research staff when recruiting and conducting follow-up of study participants during
COVID -19 pandemic. • To explore recruitment and follow-up experiences of front-line
research staff involved in various studies before and during the COVID -19 pandemic. • To compare recruitment and follow-up challenges experienced
in clinic-based studies with those of community-based studies
• To identify challenges in relation to the application of international research ethical
standards into processes of recruiting and following up research participants i.e.,
CIOMS. Methodology
The study will combine a cross-sectional and retrospective qualitative design to collect insights
into the experiences of the researchers in the ongoing and completed studies. The use of a
combined qualitative design will allow us to explore implementational challenges in studies
that are currently active and those that have already completed data collection to determine and
compare challenges during both peak and low as well as early and current Covid-19 period.
Study participants will be purposively selected from both community and hospital-based
studies to ensure representation of studies from each of the three KUHES affiliated research
institutions. The study will be conducted at the premises of Malawi Liverpool Wellcome
Programme, John Hopkins Project, and Blantyre Malaria Project.
Expected findings and dissemination
Information from a study conducted in the Caribbean during this period revealed that measures
imposed to reduce the spread of the disease in different countries reduced rapport between
front-line research staff and participants as face-to-face communication strengthened their
relationship. The study will bring insight into the current issues at hand. The study findings
will be presented during dissemination conferences at KUHES and other conferences.
COMREC will also need a copy of the findings and the study findings will also disseminate
during Project Progress Report (PPR) at Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme.
Description
A cross-sectional qualitative study.