Racial and ethnic differences in knowledge and willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials in an urban population in the Southeastern US.
Racial/ethnic minorities in the Southeastern USA are disproportionately affected by HIV, and would benefit from a preventive vaccine. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 220 community college students in Atlanta to evaluate racial/ethnic differences in knowledge and willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials. Willingness to participate did not differ by race/ethnicity, age, or gender, and was not associated with knowledge. African-Americans and Asians were more likely than Whites to: believe that an HIV vaccine exists, but is being withheld from the public; believe that AIDS was caused by a government conspiracy; feel that having other participants and investigators of their ethnic background in the trial was important. Misconceptions regarding HIV vaccines are common and differ by race/ethnicity. However, willingness to participate was not associated with knowledge or race/ethnicity. Efforts to increase participation should address the ethnic diversity of the trial personnel, and education to eliminate misconceptions about HIV vaccines and trials.
Priddy
F H
FH
Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Cheng
A C
AC
Salazar
L F
LF
Frew
P M
PM
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D015144:Southeastern United States; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population
D016915:AIDS Vaccines