Ethical Practices in participatory health research: A systemic review of studies in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Many community health interventions, besides trying to produce a change in the health situation of the population, pursue the gathering of scientific data. The ensuing question is how explicit this is to the community, as it affects the rights of the participants. A systematic review was conducted to determine what ethical aspects are taken into account in participatory community health research in Latin America. The search was performed in LILACS, 21 studies were identified. In addition, the authors were contacted to complete additional information through a survey. The degree of community participation is heterogeneous; it range from attending workshops to interventions planned and carried out by community members. Half of the identified articles indicates the use of ethical tools, however there is little explicitation of specific ethical aspects of the processes of participatory research. In conclusion, participatory health research would fail into implement ethical aspects, including the real participation of communities in all research steps and the contribution of community members in the construction of knowledge.