HIV vaccine acceptability in seronaive patients in a resource limited setting-a pilot study

Abstract EN

Background : Current lifetime antiretroviral regimes are associated with clinically important toxicities, and have several limitations (eg.

cost, development of resistance, complications).

There is need for an alternative regime that must be acceptable, easy to administer and permanent for the eradication of HIV / AIDS.

This creates a necessity for vaccine trials in human subjects.

Objectives : To evaluate the response and acceptability profile of a possible coming HIV vaccine trial and usage among a study population that are not aware of their serostatus.

Methods : Five hundred males and females who were seronaive regarding their HIV status were recruited into the study.

An open ended questionnaire was administered before and after counseling to assess the acceptability of the proposed vaccine with and without counseling.

Results : Male : female ratio was one to one.

Ninety percent (450 out of 500) said they would not take part in a new HIV vaccine trial but only sixty five percent (325 out 500) reacted negatively after counseling.

Sixty eight percent (340 out of 500) said they would partake in the vaccination after a successful trial has been carried out on other human subjects and after counseling, this increased to eighty five percent (425 out of 500).

The general attitude to HIV vaccine was that of fear and distrust.

Discussion : Coming HIV vaccine trials and usage is likely to be met with suspicion and distrust in resource limited settings.

Certain barriers to acceptability of the vaccines need to be addressed to increase acceptability both to the trials and usage of the vaccine.

Successful trial will lead to increased acceptability of usage.