Community Advisory Board

Community Advisory Board

Community Advisory boards (CAB's) are widely regarded as a best practice for community engagement in clinical research. They help protect community interests, provide local feedback, and ensure that research is ethical, culturally appropriate and genuinely beneficial to the communities involved.¹

At the initiative of the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI), the first Community Advisory Board was established in 2008. Since then, it has grown into an active and representative body. The CAB in its current form was elected in 2014, and approximately 40% of the original members continue to serve.

Early days
When SATVI established the first CAB in 2008, local organisations were invited to nominate representatives. The initial membership included representatives mainly from professional backgrounds — such as teachers and health workers. Over time, the CAB grew to include a broader, more community-based membership. SATVI supported the CAB in meeting monthly and provided logistical and administrative support.

2014 to present
By 2014, the CAB was revitalised with the adoption of a formal constitution and the appointment of a dedicated Communications Manager to represent the site and coordinate logistical support. The initial focus was mainly on TB vaccines; however, as SATVI's research expanded, the CAB was also consulted on work relating to drugs, diagnostics and immunology.

The CAB later joined the UCT CORE CAB, a network linking community advisory boards across research sites affiliated with the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), participating in first quarterly and, later, monthly meetings.
Due to funding pressures in the South African research sector, the CAB has since scaled down its meetings to four times a year.

Functions and role
The CAB's responsibilities extend beyond TB vaccine research, adapting to SATVI's changing research pipeline. In more recent years, the CAB has also advised research groups at Stellenbosch University, including the Ukwanda Rural Health Unit, reflecting a broader community engagement model.

Meetings are generally facilitated by the Communications Manager, with clinical research team members joining as needed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAB adapted to a virtual meeting format using WhatsApp calls.
CAB members serve on a voluntary basis but are reimbursed for their time and travel expenses. The site also provides transport and refreshments during meetings.
The CAB maintains a vibrant and evolving relationship with SATVI, and has taken part in a range of activities, including:
 

CAB visit to SATVI offices in Cape Town, December 2023.	CAB visit to UCT Pathology learning: Presentation on various forms of TB at UCT Pathology Learning Centre, December 2023.
Workshop session on Clinical Research ethics presented by Ms Ashley Veldsman.	CAB visit to UCT Pathology learning Centre, December 2023.

Current Executive Committee members
In 2025, the CAB held elections and the following executive was elected:

CAB Newsletters

2025 - Click here

2024 - Click here

¹ Pancras G, Sunguya BF, Sirili N, Balandya E, Lyamuya E, Mmbaga BT. The role of community advisory boards in community-based HIV clinical trials: a qualitative study from Tanzania. BMC Medical Ethics. 2022;23(1):1.