The Legacy of Sexually Transmitted Disease Research

Zenilman, Jonathan M.

doi:10.1097/olq.0000000000000063

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Given the history of ethical lapses in the field of sexually transmitted disease research, special vigilance is indicated for the conduct of STI studies. 10 The following steps should be taken to reduce ambiguity and ensure appropriate return of results and treatment of STIs in research studies:…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many STI prevalence studies are conducted in vulnerable or marginalized populations with higher rates of infection, including adolescents, sexual minorities, sex workers, and racial or ethnic minorities. Given the history of ethical lapses in the field of sexually transmitted disease research, special vigilance is indicated for the conduct of STI studies 10 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Return of Positive Test Results to Participants in Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence Studies: Research Ethics and Responsibilities

Grubbs

Millum

Rietmeijer³

et al. 2021

Sexual Trans Dis

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Background:In prevalence studies of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), investigators often provide syndromic management for symptomatic participants but may not provide specific treatment for asymptomatic individuals with positive laboratory test results because of the delays between sample collection and availability of results as well as logistical constraints in recontacting study participants. Methods:To characterize the extent of this issue, 80 prevalence studies from the World Health Organization's Report on Global Sexually Transmitted Infection Surveillance, 2018, were reviewed. Studies were classified as to whether clinically relevant positive results were returned or if this was not specified.Results: More than half (56%) of the cited studies did not specify if participants were notified of clinically relevant positive STI test results. The percentages were similar for low-and middle-income country populations (57%) and high-income country populations (53%). Conclusions:The absence of documentation of the provision of test results raises the possibility that in some instances, results may not have been communicated, with potential negative effects for participants, their sexual partners, and newborns. From an ethical perspective, clinically relevant results should be returned to study participants and treating clinicians in a timely fashion to ensure appropriate management of identified infections. Study authors should document if they returned test results to study participants and report on numbers lost to follow-up.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Return of Positive Test Results to Participants in Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence Studies: Research Ethics and Responsibilities

Grubbs

Millum

Rietmeijer³

et al. 2021

Sexual Trans Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Reproductive health: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Overview

Stoner

2024

Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences

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Fiftieth Anniversary of Uncovering the Tuskegee Syphilis Study: The Story and Timeless Lessons

Tobin

2022

Am J Respir Crit Care Med

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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the uncovering of the Tuskegee syphilis study, when the public learned that the Public Health Service (precursor of the CDC) for 40 years intentionally withheld effective therapy against a life-threatening illness in 400 African American men. In 2010, we learned that the same research group had deliberately infected hundreds of Guatemalans with syphilis and gonorrhea in the 1940s, with the goal of developing better methods for preventing these infections. Despite 15 journal articles detailing the results, no physician published a letter criticizing the Tuskegee study. Informed consent was never sought; instead, Public Health Service researchers deceived the men into believing they were receiving expert medical care. The study is an especially powerful parable because readers can identify the key players in the narrative and recognize them as exemplars of people they encounter in daily life—these flesh-and-blood characters convey the principles of research ethics more vividly than a dry account in a textbook of bioethics. The study spurred reforms leading to fundamental changes in the infrastructure of research ethics. The reason people fail to take steps to halt behavior that in retrospect everyone judges reprehensible is complex. Lack of imagination, rationalization, and institutional constraints are formidable obstacles. The central lessons from the study are the need to pause and think, reflect, and examine one’s conscience; the courage to speak; and above all the willpower to act. History, although about the past, is our best defense against future errors and transgressions.

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The Legacy of Sexually Transmitted Disease Research

Cited by 3 publications

References 20 publications

Return of Positive Test Results to Participants in Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence Studies: Research Ethics and Responsibilities

Return of Positive Test Results to Participants in Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence Studies: Research Ethics and Responsibilities

Reproductive health: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Overview

Fiftieth Anniversary of Uncovering the Tuskegee Syphilis Study: The Story and Timeless Lessons

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