Young at risk-people in Maputo City, Mozambique, present a high willingness to participate in HIV trials: Results from an HIV vaccine preparedness cohort study

Abstract

Introduction Vaccine efficacy testing requires engagement of willing volunteers with high disease incidence. We evaluated factors associated with willingness to participate in potential future HIV vaccine trials in Maputo, Mozambique. Methods Adults aged 18–35 years without HIV and who reported at least two sexual partners in the 3 months prior to screening were enrolled into a 24-month observational study. They were asked at screening and exit if they would be willing to participate in a theoretical HIV vaccine study. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done between willingness to participate, demographic, sexual behavior, and motivational factors for screening visit data. Logistic regression with generalized estimating equations (GEE) was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors potentially associated with willingness to participate for data from both visits. Results A total of 577 participants without HIV were eligible, including 275 (48%) women. The mean age was 22.2 (SD ± 3.9) years. At screening 529 (92%) expressed willingness to participate and the proportion remained stable at 378 (88%) of the 430 participants retained through the exit visit (p = 0.209). Helping the country (n = 556) and fear of needles (n = 26) were the top motive and barrier for willingness to participate, respectively. Results from the GEE binary logistic regression (screening visit and exit visit) showed that wanting to learn how to avoid risk behaviors (aOR 3.33, 95% CI: 1.61–6.86) and feeling protected against HIV infection (aOR 2.24, 95% CI: 1.07–4.7) were associated with willingness to participate in HIV vaccine studies. Conclusion The majority of our study population in Mozambique expressed willingness to participate in a theoretical HIV vaccine trial. Participation in a HIV vaccine trial was seen as a way to contribute to the fight against HIV but was associated with some unrealistic expectations such as protection against HIV. This reinforces the need for continuous mobilization and awareness of potential participants to HIV vaccine trial.

High STI burden among a cohort of adolescents aged 12–19 years in a youth-friendly clinic in South Africa

“…New studies to examine these modalities in adolescents are underway or recently completed [ 10 – 12 ]. Previous studies including simulated vaccine trials (i.e., “mock” trials using a licensed product but otherwise designed to mimic the rigors of a clinical trial) have also shown that while adolescents are willing to participate in clinical research [ 13 – 16 ], concerns about issues such as vaccine seropositivity, logistical issues, community engagement, and parental/guardian permissions remain [ 17 ]. In addition, inadequate access to adolescent friendly healthcare services remain problematic, including tailored screening for sexual risk and addressing low perception of risk [ 18 , 19 ].…”