Motivations to participate in a Phase I/II HIV vaccine trial: A descriptive study from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

E A M Tarimo,A Kulane,D C V Kakoko,F Mhalu,E Sandstrom,T W Kohi,M Bakari

doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2875-6

Abstract

BackgroundThe search for an efficacious HIV vaccine is a global priority. To date only one HIV vaccine trial (RV144) has shown modest efficacy in a phase III trial. With existing different HIV-1 subtypes and frequent mutations, multiple trials are needed from different geographical sites particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where most HIV infections occur. Thus, motivations to participate in HIV vaccine trials among Tanzanians need to be assessed. This paper describes the motives of Police Officers who showed great interest to volunteer in HIVIS-03 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Police Officers who showed interest to participate in the HIVIS-03, a phase I/II HIV vaccine trial in Dar es Salaam. Prior to detailed training sessions about HIV vaccine trials, the potential participants narrated their individual motives to participate in the trial on a piece of paper. Descriptive analysis using content approach and frequency distributions were performed.ResultsOf the 265 respondents, 242 (91.3 %) provided their socio-demographic characteristics as well as reasons that would make them take part in the proposed trial. Majority, (39.7 %), cited altruism as the main motive. Women were more likely to volunteer due to altruism compared to men (P < 0.01). Researchers’ explanations about HIV/AIDS vaccine studies motivated 15.3 %. More men (19.6 %) than women (1.7 %) were motivated to volunteer due to researchers’ explanations (P < 0.001). Also, compared to other groups, those unmarried and educated up to secondary level of education were motivated to volunteer due to researchers’ explanation (P < 0.05). Other reasons were: desire to become a role model (18.6 %); to get knowledge for educating others (14.0 %); to cooperate with researchers in developing an HIV vaccine (9.5 %); to get protection against HIV infection (7.0 %), and severity of the disease within families (6.2 %). These results were supported by testimonies from both men and women.ConclusionsParticipation in an HIV vaccine trial in a Tanzanian context is likely to be influenced by altruism and comprehensive education about the trial. Gender differences, marital status and education level need to be considered to enhance participation in future HIV vaccine trials.

Highlights

The search for an efficacious HIV vaccine is a global priority
It was deemed necessary to carry out a study that would lead to an understanding of the motives behind a sub-group of Police Officers who showed interest to volunteer for HIVIS-03 trial after coming to attend a session providing detailed explanations about the purpose of phase I/II HIV vaccine trials
This was a sub-study within a large HIV and AIDS project in Tanzania that included studies of HIV incidence, laboratory reference values as well as willingness to participate in an HIV vaccine trial leading up to phase I/II HIV Vaccine trial among Police Officers [14, 19]

Summary

Introduction

The search for an efficacious HIV vaccine is a global priority. To date only one HIV vaccine trial (RV144) has shown modest efficacy in a phase III trial. The explorative study showed that participants feared possible loss of close relationships if they enrolled in an HIV vaccine trial; negative effect of the trial on the reproductive biology; interference with pregnancy norms; being unsure about risks such as the risks of acquiring HIV infection; suffering physical harm and uncertainty of the intentions of the researchers conducting the trial. They feared for the outcome of a medical examination which was required in the trial, in that it could reveal unknown diseases [19]. This paper describes the motives of Police Officers who showed great interest to volunteer in HIVIS-03 trial in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion