APPENDICES APPENDIX A

CONSENT FORM

Consent Form for Participation in a Research Study University of Massachusetts Amherst

Researcher: Leso Munala, PhD candidate

Study Title: The experiences and needs of health care practitioners providing services to female survivors of sexual violence in Nairobi, Kenya: A phenomenological investigation

1. WHAT IS THIS FORM?

This form is called a Consent Form. It will give you information about the study so you can make an informed decision about participation in this research. This consent form will give you the information you will need to understand why this study is being done and why you are being invited to participate. It will also describe what you will need to know to participate and any known risks, inconveniences or discomforts that you may have while participating. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to sign this form and you will be given a copy for your records.

2. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?

The health practitioners eligible for the study will be all male and female health practitioners in the health facility that are in direct contact with female survivors of sexual violence who are also not in supervisory roles in their respective facility. The practitioners will be medical doctors, nurses, clinical officers and trauma counselors who have worked in that particular site for at least 6 months. You must be at least 18 years old to participate.

3. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY?

The purpose of this research study is to gain knowledge on the daily experiences of health practitioners

that work with female survivors of sexual violence. The study seeks to understand and identify the knowledge, attitudes and delivery of services among health service that work with survivors of sexual violence. Additionally, the study seeks to explore factors that influence the delivery of services to survivors of sexual violence that alleviate the impact that the violence has on the survivors. Finally, the study seeks to explore different

approaches and methods in effective dissemination of information to service practitioners and enhance critical components to be included in relevant Continuing Medical Training (CME) training or educational curriculums to service practitioners in the country.

4. WHERE WILL THE STUDY TAKE PLACE AND HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

The interviews will take place in a private office at your health facility. The time allotted for the interview is an hour to an hour and a half.

5. WHAT WILL I BE ASKED TO DO?

If you agree to take part in this study, you will be asked to participate in a 1to 1 1/2 hour long interview. The nature of the questions will focus on your daily experiences and needs as you serve survivors of sexual violence. You will be debriefed at the conclusion of the interview to provide an opportunity for you to reflect on the interview and add information that the interview questions may not have covered adequately.

6. WHAT ARE MY BENEFITS OF BEING IN THIS STUDY?

There are no immediate benefits for your participation in this study. However, you may benefit from the study through self-reflection on your work with survivors. I hope this research will contribute to the limited literature about you needs and perspectives on treating survivors of sexual violence and add to the body knowledge on current gaps in service provision.

7. WHAT ARE MY RISKS OF BEING IN THIS STUDY?

I believe there are no known risks associated with this research study; however, a possible inconvenience may be the time it takes to complete the study. The possible psychological risks related to this study are fatigue and/or emotional distress as you share your experiences in serving survivors of sexual violence. You are free to refuse to respond to any question that may result in psychological disturbance. Additionally you can withdraw from the study with no consequences.

8. HOW WILL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION BE PROTECTED?

You will be assigned pseudonyms to prevent identification. The pseudonyms will be kept in a separate password protected file server from the digital files and will be deleted once the data is transcribed. The researchers will keep all study records, including any codes to your data, in a secure location. Identifiable information will not be recorded on the digital files or the transcripts. The master key and digital files will be destroyed 3 years after the close of the study. All electronic files containing identifiable information will be password protected.

Any computer hosting such files will also have password protection to prevent access by unauthorized users. Only the principal investigator will have access to the passwords.

9. WILL I RECEIVE ANY PAYMENT FOR TAKING PART IN THE STUDY?

You will receive KES. 1,000 as compensation for participating in the study.

10. WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

Take as long as you like before you make a decision. I will be happy to answer any question you have about this study. If you have further questions about this project or if you have a research-related problem, you may contact me at 0786970730 or by email:

[email protected]. If you have any questions concerning your rights as a research subject, you may contact the University of Massachusetts Amherst Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) at [email protected].

11. CAN I STOP BEING IN THE STUDY?

You do not have to be in this study if you do not want to. If you agree to be in the study, but later change your mind, you may drop out at any time. There are no penalties or

consequences of any kind if you decide that you do not want to participate.

12. SUBJECT STATEMENT OF VOLUNTARY CONSENT

When signing this form I am agreeing to voluntarily enter this study. I have had a chance to read this consent form, and it was explained to me in a language which I use and understand. I have had the opportunity to ask questions and have received satisfactory answers. I understand that I can withdraw at any time. A copy of this signed Informed Consent Form has been given to me.

________________________ ____________________ __________

Participant Signature: Print Name: Date:

By signing below I indicate that the participant has read and, to the best of my knowledge, understands the details contained in this document and has been given a copy.

_________________________ ____________________ __________

Signature of Person Print Name: Date:

Obtaining Consent

APPENDIX B

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL