- September 25, 2024
- Posted by: IHVN
- Category: Latest
On September 9, 2024, the Nigerian site for the BRILLIANT study, pivoting from International Research Centre of Excellence-Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IRCE-IHVN), conducted its inaugural community stakeholders engagement meeting with six (6) community-based organizations (CBOs) identified as partners and entry points for community engagement and ownership for the BRILLIANT study. The main goals of this meeting was to familiarize the CBOs with the BRILLIANT project, asses their capacity and organizational structures for partnership, while establishing pathways for the implementation of additional activities emerging from the BRILLIANT consortium.
During the meeting, Dr. Evaezi Okpokoro, the IRCE coordinator, presented an overview of the study, describing the consortium’s structure, which encompasses eight (8) sites from eight (8) different countries, with the South African Medical Council (SAMRC) as prime, collaborating to develop candidate vaccines for HIV. He mentioned that the project is supported by USAID and is spearheaded by African scientists to develop an “AFRICAN VACCINE.” He also pointed out that the study encompasses both pre-clinical and clinical trials.
Dr. James Onyemata and Dr. Sophia Osawe, the country’s leads for the laboratory immunogen and immune response workstreams, highlighted the crucial role of CBOs in vaccine trials, drawing on insights from the “microbicide project” that implemented good participatory practice guidelines for vaccine trials.
Prof. Abimiku, the Principal Investigator for the Nigerian site and the executive director of IRCE-IHVN, highlighted the need to ensure that accurate information reaches the communities and reiterated the role of CBOs in advocating for HIV prevention strategies, such as abstinence and safer sex practices. She elaborated on the multi-phasic approach of the study (Phase 1 to Phase 4), starting with low-risk populations as initial participants to test safety and immunogenicity and progressively extending to high-risk populations in subsequent phases to assess how well the vaccine protects against infection. She indicated that the prevalent HIV subtypes in West Africa (sub-type G and CRF02 recombinant) will be taken into account during the development of the vaccine candidates.
Musa Aminu, the country’s lead for the Community Engagement Advocacy and Communications (CEAC) workstream, walked the group through strategic approaches aimed at enhancing community engagement and effective science communication. He explained that the workplan is shaped by insights gained from the challenges identified during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and similar initiatives in Africa. Among the strategic approaches that would be employed at the country level are; the mobilization of gatekeepers at the initial stages through CBOs, collaborations with social media influencers to ensure the dissemination of accurate information, as well as the creation of communication materials in local languages, including resources adapted from the broader consortium CEAC.
A considerable portion of the meeting time was dedicated to the CBOs, as the project recognizes that it has much to gain from their insights regarding best practices and effective strategies for community engagement.
The six (6) CBOs present included the International Centre for Advocacy on Rights to Health (ICARH), Network of People living with HIV/AIDS in NIGERIA (NEPHWAN), Catholic Action Committee on HIV/AIDS (CACA), AFRIhealth optonet association (AHOA), Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI), and Jomurota Community Care Initiative (JCCI). Each CBO provided an overview of their history in HIV prevention programmes and clinical trials, enabling the BRILLIANT study team to inquire about their experiences, capacities, and the specific populations targeted for the BRILLIANT study.
Omoboyo Ayodele, the representative from JCCI, discussed the organization’s strategies for addressing the issue of loss to follow-up during clinical trials, highlighting the importance of maintaining a good rapport with community participants. Meanwhile, Edegbe Efosa the representative from NEPHWAN shared insights from the Monkeypox vaccine campaign and underscored the critical role of community sensitization, especially among serodiscordant couples. Additionally, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje from AHOA suggested that enhancing the advocacy and social mobilization capacities of the CBOs would be vital for the success of the BRILLIANT Study.
The BRILLIANT Study team plans to continue with this community stakeholder’s engagement series, with plans to share materials developed for communications for input from the CBOs to ensure that it is appropriate for the communities we partner with for HIV vaccine studies. It is anticipated that as the CBOs assume greater roles in facilitating the project’s goals; the investigators will also learn from the community in true partnership for the roll-out of the BRILLIANT quest in developing an effective HIV vaccine.
SELECTED PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
PICTURE 1: Cross-section of CB0s representatives discussing strategic approaches to consider for the community engagement activities for the BRILLIANT study.
PICTURE 2: Community Stakeholders keenly engaging with the country-specific workplan for the CEAC workstream.
PICTURE 3: Community Stakeholders keenly engaging with the country-specific workplan for the CEAC workstream.
PICTURE 4: The meeting was a hybrid session, with both in-person and virtual attendance.
PICTURE 5: Dr. Evaezi reiterated the unique approach of the BRILLIANT Study-as it places communities in the centre stage, African scientists and women leadership in the forefront, towards discovering an AFRICAN VACCINE.
PICTURE 6: Prof. Alash’le Abimiku the Principal Investigator for the Nigerian site, warmly received the stakeholders at IRCE-IHVN.
PICTURE 7: The meeting was graced by the presence of the IHVN COO Dr. Charles Mensah, who assured the CBOs of maximum support as they partner with IRCE-IHVN on this groundbreaking project.
PICTURE 8: Group photograh with the Principal investigator of the Nigerian site, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, the BRILLLIANT Study team and the CBO leaderships.