title: Community-based HIV clinical trials: an integrated approach in underserved, rural, minority communities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although racial and ethnic minorities have disproportionately high rates of HIV infection, these groups are underrepresented in HIV-related clinical trials. This illustrates the need for more innovation in attempts to engage underrepresented populations in calls for interdisciplinary and translational research.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Eleven focus groups and 35 interviews were conducted with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to explore the perspectives of rural community leaders, service providers, and PLWHA about bringing HIV-related research, including clinical trials, into rural communities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a period of 3 months in spring 2007, we collected qualitative data from three sources: Community leaders, service providers, and PLWHA. Text data were analyzed using the constant comparative method and content analysis techniques of theme identification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents want an integrated approach to HIV research that builds trust, meets community needs, and respects their values. They conceptualize HIV research as part of a broader spectrum of HIV testing, prevention, and care, and suggest integrating HIV trials with existing community services, organizations, and structures, engaging various segments of the community, and conducting research using a personal approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings support calls for more relevant, translational, and engaged research. An integrated approach may be an important innovation to transform the research enterprise to meet these goals and more directly improve the health of individuals.
authors: The Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors: Giselle
authors: G
authors: Corbie-Smith
authors: Malika Roman
authors: MR
authors: Isler
authors: Margaret Shandor
authors: MS
authors: Miles
authors: Bahby
authors: B
authors: Banks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003256:Community Participation; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups; D012424:Rural Population; D055815:Young Adult