Fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria-in-pregnancy trial in Benin
Abstract Background A multi-country, community-based trial on scheduled screening and treatment for malaria in pregnancy was conducted in Benin, The Gambia and Burkina Faso. Despite standardized procedures and outcomes, the study became subject to rumours and accusations of placenta being sold for m...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-11-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-018-2578-9 |
| _version_ | 1818158701165412352 |
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| author | Adélaïde Compaoré Susan Dierickx Fatou Jaiteh Alain Nahum Towanou Francis Emmanuel Bohissou Halidou Tinto Susana Scott Umberto D’Alessandro Henk Schallig Koen Peeters Grietens |
| author_facet | Adélaïde Compaoré Susan Dierickx Fatou Jaiteh Alain Nahum Towanou Francis Emmanuel Bohissou Halidou Tinto Susana Scott Umberto D’Alessandro Henk Schallig Koen Peeters Grietens |
| author_sort | Adélaïde Compaoré |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background A multi-country, community-based trial on scheduled screening and treatment for malaria in pregnancy was conducted in Benin, The Gambia and Burkina Faso. Despite standardized procedures and outcomes, the study became subject to rumours and accusations of placenta being sold for mystical and financial gain by trial staff, leading to drop-out rates of 30% and the consequent halting of placental biopsy sampling in Benin. This paper explores the role of socio-cultural beliefs related to placenta and identified additional factors contributing these rumours. Methods A qualitative comparative emergent-theory design was used to assess social factors related to trial implementation and uptake in the three countries. Data from participant observation, informal conversations, group discussions and interviews were triangulated and analysed with NVivo Qualitative Analysis software. Results Despite similar sociocultural beliefs about the sacred nature of the placenta in all three study countries, these beliefs did not affect participation rates in Burkina Faso and The Gambia and placenta-related rumours only emerged in Benin. Therefore, the presence of beliefs is not a sufficient condition to have generated placenta-selling fears. The rumours in Benin reflected the confluence of placenta-related beliefs and factors related to the implementation of the trial (including a catalysing adverse event and miscommunication during the informed consent procedure). Furthermore, distinct socio-political factors contributed to the emergence of rumours, including the historical distrust in governmental organizations and the tense relationship between some of the actors involved in the trial. Conclusion Transdisciplinary social science research designs should accompany the implementation of the trial. The integration of multiple stakeholders’ knowledge and involvement is required to define and solve upcoming barriers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T15:34:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1bbe6dd29ece46459f8c9b5aeecc4b8c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T15:34:16Z |
| publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-1bbe6dd29ece46459f8c9b5aeecc4b8c2022-12-22T00:59:59ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752018-11-011711810.1186/s12936-018-2578-9Fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria-in-pregnancy trial in BeninAdélaïde Compaoré0Susan Dierickx1Fatou Jaiteh2Alain Nahum3Towanou Francis Emmanuel Bohissou4Halidou Tinto5Susana Scott6Umberto D’Alessandro7Henk Schallig8Koen Peeters Grietens9Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la SantéMedical Anthropology Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical MedicineMedical Anthropology Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical MedicineCentre de Recherches Entomologiques de CotonouCentre de Recherches Entomologiques de CotonouClinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la SantéMedical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London, School of Tropical Medicine and HygieneMedical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London, School of Tropical Medicine and HygieneDepartment of Medical Microbiology-Parasitology Unit, Academic Medical CentreMedical Anthropology Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical MedicineAbstract Background A multi-country, community-based trial on scheduled screening and treatment for malaria in pregnancy was conducted in Benin, The Gambia and Burkina Faso. Despite standardized procedures and outcomes, the study became subject to rumours and accusations of placenta being sold for mystical and financial gain by trial staff, leading to drop-out rates of 30% and the consequent halting of placental biopsy sampling in Benin. This paper explores the role of socio-cultural beliefs related to placenta and identified additional factors contributing these rumours. Methods A qualitative comparative emergent-theory design was used to assess social factors related to trial implementation and uptake in the three countries. Data from participant observation, informal conversations, group discussions and interviews were triangulated and analysed with NVivo Qualitative Analysis software. Results Despite similar sociocultural beliefs about the sacred nature of the placenta in all three study countries, these beliefs did not affect participation rates in Burkina Faso and The Gambia and placenta-related rumours only emerged in Benin. Therefore, the presence of beliefs is not a sufficient condition to have generated placenta-selling fears. The rumours in Benin reflected the confluence of placenta-related beliefs and factors related to the implementation of the trial (including a catalysing adverse event and miscommunication during the informed consent procedure). Furthermore, distinct socio-political factors contributed to the emergence of rumours, including the historical distrust in governmental organizations and the tense relationship between some of the actors involved in the trial. Conclusion Transdisciplinary social science research designs should accompany the implementation of the trial. The integration of multiple stakeholders’ knowledge and involvement is required to define and solve upcoming barriers.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-018-2578-9RumourPlacentaClinical trialCommunity health workerPregnancyMalaria |
| spellingShingle | Adélaïde Compaoré Susan Dierickx Fatou Jaiteh Alain Nahum Towanou Francis Emmanuel Bohissou Halidou Tinto Susana Scott Umberto D’Alessandro Henk Schallig Koen Peeters Grietens Fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria-in-pregnancy trial in Benin Malaria Journal Rumour Placenta Clinical trial Community health worker Pregnancy Malaria |
| title | Fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria-in-pregnancy trial in Benin |
| title_full | Fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria-in-pregnancy trial in Benin |
| title_fullStr | Fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria-in-pregnancy trial in Benin |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria-in-pregnancy trial in Benin |
| title_short | Fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria-in-pregnancy trial in Benin |
| title_sort | fear and rumours regarding placental biopsies in a malaria in pregnancy trial in benin |
| topic | Rumour Placenta Clinical trial Community health worker Pregnancy Malaria |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-018-2578-9 |
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