Consent to Research in Madagascar: Challenges, Strategies, and Priorities for Future Research

The ethical conduct of research in any setting hinges on the voluntary and informed consent participants. Working towards that is truly informed, however, far from straightforward, requires attention to contextual factors may complicate achievement this ideal specific settings. This paper based Madagascar’s first “Consent complexities health Madagascar” workshop, held Antananarivo, Madagascar, October 2018. It identifies a number challenges encountered by individuals responsible for or oversight Madagascar related consent. Key identified included: adaptation tools into local dialects limited literacy populations; perceived acquiescence potential participants regardless actual preference cultural norms; time pressures within tight project timelines collect data as quickly possible, processes; fears taboos procedures topics; and, uncertainty about how best approach verify validity individual contexts where traditional leaders’ influence conventionally sought out respected. Potential strategies responding each these are proposed, key questions meriting further study.