Why blacks do not take part in HIV vaccine trials

AIDS is still a major cause of death. To combat this disease, researchers are developing a vaccine. Although blacks account for most new infections in the United States, they account for a low percent of experimental vaccine recipients. This study, conducted in a mid-sized U.S. city where vaccine tr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the National Medical Association 2007-03, Vol.99 (3), p.254-257
Main Authors: MOUTSIAKIS, Demetrius L, CHIN, Nancy P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
African Americans - psychology
Aged
AIDS Vaccines
Biological and medical sciences
Clinical Trials as Topic
Data Collection
Fear
Female
General aspects
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
HIV Infections - prevention & control
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Interviews as Topic
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Patient Selection
Research Subjects - psychology
Trust
United States
Viral diseases
Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids
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Summary:AIDS is still a major cause of death. To combat this disease, researchers are developing a vaccine. Although blacks account for most new infections in the United States, they account for a low percent of experimental vaccine recipients. This study, conducted in a mid-sized U.S. city where vaccine trials are held, seeks to learn why. We conducted 11 in-depth ethnographic interviews. Two groups were targeted: blacks who had not participated in HIV vaccine trials and blacks who had. Overall, three major causes of nonparticipation were identified: misinformation, fear/mistrust and stigma. Factors that favored participation included having close friends with HIV and being homosexual. HIV is considered by many blacks to be a gay, white disease. Steps to increase participation must include efforts to destigmatize the condition and disseminate accurate information. Efforts to address historical causes of mistrust through "education" alone are insufficient. Trust needs to be earned through long-term relationships with black communities.
ISSN:0027-9684
1943-4693