ArticleInternational health2020
Research ethics in context: understanding the vulnerabilities, agency and resourcefulness of research participants living along the Thai-Myanmar border.
Article in International health, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed.
- A framework and practical approach to identify and address ethical issues arising in interventional health systems research.International journal of nursing studies · 2026Review
- Cohort Profile: the SMRU Refugee and Migrant Pregnancy Study in Western Thailand and Eastern Myanmar.Wellcome open research · 2026Article
- Between borders and barriers: disability prevalence, pregnancy outcomes and maternal care access on the Thai-Myanmar border, a mixed methods study.Frontiers in global women's health · 2026Article
- Rethinking ethical reflexivity and oversight in health research through an ecosystem approach: A workshop report.Research ethics · 2026Article
- "No, it is not a breach of my oath because it is beyond my control; I use the policies that are in place." Ethical challenges faced by healthcare workers in the provision of healthcare to cross-border migrants in Botswana.BMC medical ethics · 2025Article
- Fever and health-seeking behaviour among migrants living along the Thai-Myanmar border: a mixed-methods study.BMC infectious diseases · 2023Article
- Considering Risks to Researchers and Staff in Low-Resource Settings during Public Health Crises: A Proposed Conceptual Model.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Culturally responsive research ethics: How the socio-ethical norms of Arr-nar/Kreng-jai inform research participation at the Thai-Myanmar border.PLOS global public health · 2023Article
- Article
- 'Labouring' on the frontlines of global health research: mapping challenges experienced by frontline workers in Africa and Asia.Global public health · 2022Article
- A network of empirical ethics teams embedded in research programmes across multiple sites: opportunities and challenges in contributing to COVID-19 research and responses.Wellcome open research · 2022Article
- Under the Mask: A Film on Tuberculosis at the Thai-Myanmar Border.Frontiers in public health · 2022Article
- Spotlight on global health research.International health · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundResearch ethics guidelines set a high bar for conducting research with vulnerable populations, often resulting in their exclusion from beneficial research. Our study aims to better characterise participants' vulnerabilities, agency, resourcefulness and sources of support.
methodsWe undertook qualitative research around two clinical studies involving migrant women living along the Thai-Myanmar border. We conducted 32 in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions with research participants, families, researchers and key informants.
resultsWe found that being 'undocumented' is at the core of many structural vulnerabilities, reflecting political, economic, social and health needs. Although migrant women lead challenging lives, they have a support network that includes family, employers, community leaders, non-governmental organisations and research networks. Migrant women choose to participate in research to access quality healthcare, gain knowledge and obtain extra money. However, research has the potential to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, such as the burdens of cross-border travel, foregoing work and being more visible as migrants.
conclusionsOur study confirms that research is important to provide evidence-based care and was viewed by participants as offering many benefits, but it also has hidden burdens. Migrant women exercised agency and resourcefulness when navigating challenges in their lives and research participation.
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