Why blacks do not take part in HIV vaccine trials.
BACKGROUND
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.


METHODS
We conducted 11 in-depth ethnographic interviews. Two groups were targeted: blacks who had not participated in HIV vaccine trials and blacks who had.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Moutsiakis
Demetrius L
DL
Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Chin
P Nancy
PN
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003625:Data Collection; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000523:psychology*; D035502:Trust; D014481:United States
D016915:AIDS Vaccines