PROGRAM
Microbicides

A Conversation with Mary-Jane Malebo Ratlhagana, Microbicides Trial Community Outreach Team Member, Setshaba Research Centre, Soshanguve, Pretoria

“There is always more to learn”

Please describe the work that you’re doing at the research center.
As part of the Carraguard microbicide clinical trial, I am responsible for recruiting, interacting with and educating the community, and offering support to women with HIV. My work is very interesting; most of the time I work under the pressure of meeting deadlines.

Tell me about your experience working with the Population Council on this project.
For me it was a learning experience all the way through, as this was my first job, and I encountered many challenges. My background and training is in social science, so this work required me to learn research from the medical perspective.

How has participation in this project affected your life or the lives of other people involved in the program?
It has affected me a lot. The trial deals with HIV, and I was diagnosed HIV-positive immediately after being employed. I thought I knew more about HIV than the participants, but my work and meeting people showed me that there is always more to learn about all aspects, including social behavior in relation to HIV. I started a support group when I realized that there was a need for extra counseling for women who couldn’t join the trial because they had HIV or those who became HIV-positive during the trial. Participants were referred to me immediately after diagnosis. During the group sessions we would discuss the challenges, solutions for them, fears, and healthy lifestyles.

Is there anything about your experience doing this work that has surprised you?
I thought most people were knowledgeable about HIV and clinical trials, and to my surprise there was so much work to be done with regard to giving information to people.

Can you describe a memorable moment from your work?
The first day when I had to give a recruitment session to a couple of ladies. They asked so many questions and it felt pretty good because I was prepared for all of them.

Carraguard® is the Population Council's US trademark for pharmaceutical preparations, namely microbicides, for use in preventing infection.

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See Also

• "The Population Council, HIV and AIDS, and microbicides," a fact sheet for those seeking additional information about the Carraguard trials (full text)  (PDF)