Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs Related to HIV Vaccines and Vaccine Research: Social and Behavioral Implications for Future HIV Vaccine Trials: A Qualitative Study in the Dominican Republic
Book
Barrington, Clare
Moreno, Luis
Kerrigan, Deanna
2005
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/HIV Vaccine Trials Network/Unidad de Vacunas/Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Seattle
3837
In addition to establishing biomedical safety and efficacy, HIV vaccine research initiatives also face the challenge of addressing critical social and behavioral issues related to the vaccine development process. The current study sought to explore local knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding HIV vaccines and participation in HIV vaccine studies in the Dominican Republic. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with 35 participants from three groups: 1) Individuals considered at higher risk for HIV infection (street-based female sex workers, establishment-based female sex workers, male STI clinic attendees); 2) Individuals considered at lower risk of HIV infection (adult men and women attending an outpatient care clinic); and 3) Individuals who work with HIV/AIDS and/or vaccine programs. Data analysis included multiple readings of interview transcripts to identify key themes, and coding of transcripts using the Atlas.ti© qualitative analysis software. Across all study sub-groups, we identified confusion between preventive vaccines and curative treatments. Study participants had little information about HIV vaccines and lacked clarity regarding the difference between preventive HIV vaccines and anti-retroviral therapy. The main motivators regarding potential participatation in future HIV vaccine trials included protection against HIV infection, the ability to have sex without using condoms, and, to a lesser degree, the desire to contribute to the development of an HIV vaccine. The main concerns related to participation in an HIV vaccine trial as well as receiving an HIV vaccine in the future were the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and the potential negative social impact of participation or receipt of an HIV vaccine. Study participants also perceived that HIV risk behaviors would increase with the availability of an HIV vaccine. These findings highlight the need for information and education to improve knowledge and understanding of HIV vaccines and reduce the potential stigma associated with participation in an HIV vaccine trial. Additionally, based on these results, social and behavioral research and interventions should be integrated into the HIV vaccine development process in order to prevent increased sexual risk behavior as well as to provide social support to participants in HIV vaccine trials.
Sexual Behavior, Contraceptive Use, and Reproductive Health
Biological and Social Interactions
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