Changes in Willingness to Participate in HIV Vaccine Trials Among HIV-Negative Injection Drug Users

Abstract

Injection drug users (IDUs) represent an important risk group for HIV infection. We assessed correlates of IDUs' willingness to participate (WTP) in HIV vaccine trials, and examined temporal changes in WTP. Participants were enrolled in ALIVE, a prospective study of HIV among IDUs in Baltimore; semi-annual visits include interviews and HIV serology. Questionnaires regarding WTP were administered in 1993-1994 and again in 2001-2002. Logistic regression was conducted to identify correlates of WTP. Wave 1 of the survey included 440 participants; Wave 2 included 582 participants (189 participated in both waves). WTP increased modestly over time (83.4 vs. 86.3%; p = 0.16). Monetary incentives were the strongest predictor of WTP (adjOR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.72-4.35). High expectations of HIV treatment effectiveness did not predict WTP. In this cohort, WTP remained strong and modestly increased over the study period. These results should be considered in the planning of sampling and retention strategies for future vaccine trials.

Willingness of Chinese injection drug users to participate in HIV vaccine trials

“…Barriers include fear of vaccine-induced HIV infection, uncertainty about vaccine efficacy, mistrust to government or research institute, vaccineinduced HIV seropositivity, and associated stigma and discrimination [22][23][24]. Our study showed several similar motivators and barriers.…”

“…This percentage is higher than other studies among IDUs in both Asian and western countries [21][22]. Besides IDUs, men who have sex with men (MSM) and women at heterosexual risk have also been most involved in HIV vaccine trials.…”

“…Motivators to HIV vaccine trial participation may include altruism, higher education level, and perceived exposure to HIV, protection against HIV infection, free insurance and/or medical care and monetary incentives [22][23][24]. Barriers include fear of vaccine-induced HIV infection, uncertainty about vaccine efficacy, mistrust to government or research institute, vaccineinduced HIV seropositivity, and associated stigma and discrimination [22][23][24].…”

Effect of race/ethnicity on participation in HIV vaccine trials and comparison to other trials of biomedical prevention

“…From Table 1, Whites appear to comprise the minority of the sample in most hypothetical studies conducted in the past decade (2005-present), in populations including IDU (4.7-5.9%) 36 ; WAHR…”

Factors Associated with Past Research Participation Among Low-Income Persons Living with HIV

“…6 The examination of ethnic and minority views about participating in vaccine research identified similar issues that also included concerns about HIV infection and/or seropositivity induced by a vaccine; issues of vaccine efficacy, safety, and side effects; HIV conspiracy beliefs; distrust of government and/or researchers; adequacy of knowledge and information about HIV and research; and post-study followup and access to the tested vaccine. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Factors such as burdens and inconveniences of participating; financial payment and compensation for medical care and health insurance; altruism as motivation; and degree of comfort with research staff were also noted in these studies. Similar factors have been described in other disease-based research on participating, such as in cancer trials 15 and hypertension studies.…”