[Free and informed consent in context of vaccine trials in rural Africa].
In biomedical research, the necessity to obtain free and informed consent of any participants taking part in a medical trial, recognized in the 1980s, has now become a universal principle. However, depending on the context, this principle comes up against many obstacles which can even question the objectivity intended by obtaining consent. In fact, in African societies, perception schemes and social organization reproduce the social hierarchies corresponding to the different decision-making spheres. In these societies, the opinion of elders, family and the whole community takes precedent over the individual. Consent brings up the issue of conciliation between general opinion and that of the individual, cultural and universal values, and the individual and the community. Free and informed consent is still a process in progress which needs to take into account the socio-cultural factors of the community. It is an essential issue which needs to resolved within the African context.
Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, 01 BP 2208 Ouagadougou 01 Burkina Faso.
Assétou Ismaëla
AI
Derme
Sodiomon Bienvenu
SB
Sirima
D000349:Africa; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D035842:Research Subjects; D012424:Rural Population; D014611:Vaccination