Abstract #135  -  The CAPT Network: an African/Canadian collaboration aimed at facilitating African-led prevention research
Authors:   Presenting Author:   Mr. Robert O'Neill - Canada-Africa Prevention Trials Network
Additional Authors:  Dr. Wally Schlech, Dr. Mbidde EK, The CAPT-N Steering Committee,
Aim: The CAPT Network is a collaboration of African and Canadian research institutions. It was created in response to the need for more effective north-south and south-south research partnerships, led by Africans and focusing on African priorities. The aims of the collaboration were to: • build a sustainable network of African researchers working with each other and with Canadian partners; • enhance local leadership and site capacity; • provide researchers with opportunities to conduct locally-developed studies; • make a significant contribution to HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa.
Method / Issue: In March, 2007, the Network held its formative meeting in Uganda. It consists of 8 African sites (4 from Uganda, 1 from Kenya and 3 from South Africa), each paired with a Canadian partner site. Since then, two annual face-to-face meetings and regular (quarterly) teleconferences have been held. An interactive website provides the sites and investigators with a valuable communications and information resource.
Results / Comments: At the end of the 2-year start-up period a viable Network infrastructure was established, including coordinating committees, research planning teams, a secretariat and a website; 18 new research staff were hired (including 6 MDs, and a multi-site cohort of discordant couples was set up; three training workshops were conducted; also, two postdoctoral fellowships and 10 mentorships were awarded; 6 applications for research studies were developed, 3 of which have been implemented.
Discussion: In its first two years, the Network has— • provided a structured opportunity for sites to work together; • helped sites acquire new research capabilities; • facilitated the successful development and implementation of three clinical trials; • helped each site establish a community engagement program; • provided opportunities for interaction between clinic-based, community-based and laboratory-based researcher.. A post-project survey of Network personnel showed that— • the sites with the least research experience made the most use of the Network. • clinical treatment sites can easily add a prevention component to their operation • there are synergies to combining treatment and prevention; • to be sustainable, the sites need grant writers, grant administrators and research managers; • CAPT Network provides a viable, cost effective model for achieving these results.
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