As part of its efforts in promoting the interest and capacity of health care professional s in research, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria has trained on...

the principles and practice of clinical trials.

The two-week training ,which was held at IHVN Training Hall in Abuja, featured lectures on data management in clinical research, conduct and design of epidemiology studies, interpretation of epidemiologic studies, base line assessments, quality control in research amongst other areas.

IHVN Director, Office of Strategic Information, Training and Research, Prof. Clement Adebamowo noted that the training provides participants with the background and importance of clinical trials. "In Nigeria, we don't have a lot of clinical trial experience and clinical trials are highly beneficial to patients, sites and hospitals," he said.

Participants noted that the training will be beneficial in building clinical trial teams. According to Dr. O.E.Nnodu, "the experience has been very challenging. I'm a clinician so this experience will help me build up a proper research team and information gained will be passed on to fellow colleagues." Another participant, Dr. OlabodePeter Oluwole from University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), stated that "This one is great because I am having direct contact with people who experience these clinical trials regularly. So I am getting more direct information."

The training, which attracted facilitators from within and outside the country, was sponsored by the America National Cancer Institute (NCI) through its Capacity Development for Research into HIV Associated Malignancies (CADRE) grant.