Mchunu, Nobuhle N.
Mwambi, Henry G.
Reddy, Tarylee
Yende-Zuma, Nonhlanhla
Naidoo, Kogieleum
Article History
Received: 17 December 2019
Accepted: 11 March 2020
First Online: 30 March 2020
Ethics approval and consent to participate
: Ethics approval for use of the treatment program data was obtained from the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of the University of KwaZulu- Natal. (Ref-E248/05). The biomedical research ethics committee reviewed the application and deemed the need for consent unnecessary in terms of national regulations: "the REC may approve a waiver of consent for secondary use of material or data where no more than minimal risk of harm is likely; and donor rights and welfare interests are unlikely to adversely affected; and research cannot be conducted if waiver is not approved". The national health Act permitted children 12 years and older to access HIV care without parental or guardian consent. Hence no parental or guardian consent was required for this age group [CitationRef removed]. (National Health Act 61 of 2003). Informed consent was obtained for HIV testing and treatment (including those less than 16 years) from all individuals included in the study in keeping with standard of care.
: Not applicable.
: NNM and TR both work for the South African medical research council. The other authors report no competing interests.