title: Exploring barriers and facilitators to participation of male-to-female transgender persons in preventive HIV vaccine clinical trials.
abstract: Observed seroincidence and prevalence rates in male-to-female (MTF) transgender individuals highlight the need for effective targeted HIV prevention strategies for this community. In order to develop an effective vaccine that can be used by transgender women, researchers must understand and address existing structural issues that present barriers to this group's participation in HIV vaccine clinical trials. Overcoming barriers to participation is important for ensuring HIV vaccine acceptability and efficacy for the MTF transgender community. To explore barriers and facilitators to MTF transgender participation in preventive HIV vaccine clinical trials, the HIV Vaccine Trials Network conducted focus groups among transgender women in four urban areas (Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco). Barriers and facilitators to engagement of transgender women in preventive HIV vaccine clinical trials led to the following recommendations: (a) transgender cultural competency training, (b) creating trans-friendly environments, (c) true partnerships with local trans-friendly organizations and health care providers, (d) protocols that focus on transgender specific issues, and (e) data collection and tracking of transgender individuals. These results have implications for the conduct of HIV vaccine trials, as well as engagement of transgender women in research programs in general.
authors: HVTN Social Scientist, HIV Vaccine Trials Network, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, E3-300, Seattle, WA, 98109-1024, USA, mandrasik@fhcrc.org.
authors: Michele Peake
authors: MP
authors: Andrasik
authors: Ro
authors: R
authors: Yoon
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Mooney
authors: Gail
authors: G
authors: Broder
authors: Marcus
authors: M
authors: Bolton
authors: Teress
authors: T
authors: Votto
authors: Annet
authors: A
authors: Davis-Vogel
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D057545:Social Stigma; D063106:Transgender Persons; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines