1. Eliana Kim Muhsin Aboud
2017 Evaluative Study of Tanzania-based Research Ethics Committees (RECs): Progress Report
Eliana Kim
Muhsin Aboud

2. Aims of The Survey To describe the current level of capacity of RECs.
To identify the challenges and capacity needs of RECs in Tanzania in conducting ethics review.
To utilize the findings to guide the RECs to effectively respond to the identified needs.
To use the findings to inform trainings strategies.

3. Collaborators and Stakeholders
1) DMRET; MUHAS, Dartmouth, UPenn
2) National Health Research Ethics Review Committee (NHRERC)
Stakeholders (beneficiaries):
1) COSTECH; as regulatory authority
2) Ministry of health and institutions of health
3) All RECs in Tanzania
Sponsor: Fogarty International Center DMRET grant.

4. Methodology
Study Design: A Needs Assessment Survey; Cross-sectional Study
Study Sample: All RECs in Tanzania
Data Collection:
via SurveyMonkey – online platform
Two sets of questionnaires: (1) for Key Informants
(2) for REC Members
The first contact was via an introductory letter to the primary contacts (e.g. the chairman) of each REC providing general information, background, and objectives of the study.

5. Progress 17 RECs/potential were identified and contact made
12 RECs responded and sent their contact information
Total of 157 members contact information received
We sent survey information and consent forms to all members via the chairs/secretary

6. Distribution of RECs by sites
Dar es Salaam (9)– IHI, MNH, MUHAS, UDSM, AMREF, NHRERC (+ MOI, Aga Khan, ORCI – not included in the study)
Mwanza (2) – Bugando/CUHAS, LZIRB
Zanzibar (1) – ZAMREC
Dodoma (1) – UDOM
Kilimanjaro (1) – KCMC (CRERC)
Arusha (1) – KNCHREC
Mbeya (1) – NIMR Mbeya (no response)
Dar es Salaam / Mwanza / Zanzibar / Dodoma / Kilimanjaro / Arusha / Mbeya / out of 24 regions (look at them) ---- INCLUDE MAP

7. 2 RECs in Mwanza
KNCHREC
KCMC
UDOM
9 RECs in DSM

8. General Information & Composition of the RECs
Include table
Institutions we did not hear back from: Aga Khan Hospital, Sokoine, NIMR Mbeya
Institutions that do not have official RECs yet: MOI, ORCI

9. How SurveyMonkey (SM) was administered
2 separate surveys for:
– (1) Key Informants (Chair/Secretary) – 45 questions
– (2) Members – 19 questions
Link sent through SM website
Sent 2 reminders through SM website
Monitored survey progress via SM – SM provided following tracking information for each participant:
– opened: Yes/No
– Link opened: Yes/No
– Survey completed: Yes/No

10. Survey Questions: Themes
Demographics: profession, educational background, and ethics training of members
Name and Contact Information of the REC
Establishment of REC: How & When
Standard Operating Procedures
Oversight and Regulations
Capacity to conduct ethics review
Familiarity with & Practice of National and International Ethics Guidelines
Assessment of Functionality of RECs
Assessment of Needs of RECs – Resources and Capacity

11. Response Rate to SurveyMonkey
For the SurveyMonkey sent to 125 REC members, a total of 55 participants (44%) completed the survey.
The average response rate across all RECs was 42%.
For the SurveyMonkey sent to the Key Informants of 12 RECs, Key Informants of 10 RECs (83%) completed the survey.