Ethics in research on adolescents living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The article have sought to portray the experience of ensuring observance of the ethical aspects involved in data gathering with adolescents living with HIV/Aids. Data gathering in two studies is reported: one , using a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, with 23 adolescents, and another with a qualitative focus, with 8 adolescents. For both, the criteria for participation included current use of anti-retroviral therapy, awareness of their diagnosis, and being subject to outpatient monitoring at a specialized care service. Guaranteeing the ethical principles ? autonomy, doing no harm, beneficence and justice involved: how to approach the adolescents to invite them to participate in the survey, the adolescents’ fears regarding the research, the protection of family members and caregivers, the revelation of the diagnosis to the adolescent and to third parts, and confidentiality. The report of our experience aims to contribute to the discussion of issues involving the guarantee of ethical aspects in research.