title: Motivations to participate in a Phase I/II HIV vaccine trial: A descriptive study from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The search for an efficacious HIV vaccine is a global priority. To date only one HIV vaccine trial (RV144) has shown modest efficacy in a phase III trial. With existing different HIV-1 subtypes and frequent mutations, multiple trials are needed from different geographical sites particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where most HIV infections occur. Thus, motivations to participate in HIV vaccine trials among Tanzanians need to be assessed. This paper describes the motives of Police Officers who showed great interest to volunteer in HIVIS-03 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Police Officers who showed interest to participate in the HIVIS-03, a phase I/II HIV vaccine trial in Dar es Salaam. Prior to detailed training sessions about HIV vaccine trials, the potential participants narrated their individual motives to participate in the trial on a piece of paper. Descriptive analysis using content approach and frequency distributions were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 265 respondents, 242 (91.3%) provided their socio-demographic characteristics as well as reasons that would make them take part in the proposed trial. Majority, (39.7%), cited altruism as the main motive. Women were more likely to volunteer due to altruism compared to men (P < 0.01). Researchers' explanations about HIV/AIDS vaccine studies motivated 15.3%. More men (19.6%) than women (1.7%) were motivated to volunteer due to researchers' explanations (P < 0.001). Also, compared to other groups, those unmarried and educated up to secondary level of education were motivated to volunteer due to researchers' explanation (P < 0.05). Other reasons were: desire to become a role model (18.6%); to get knowledge for educating others (14.0%); to cooperate with researchers in developing an HIV vaccine (9.5%); to get protection against HIV infection (7.0%), and severity of the disease within families (6.2%). These results were supported by testimonies from both men and women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in an HIV vaccine trial in a Tanzanian context is likely to be influenced by altruism and comprehensive education about the trial. Gender differences, marital status and education level need to be considered to enhance participation in future HIV vaccine trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Management, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. etarimo54@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: E A M
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tarimo
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. drbakari@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakari
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. knkuru@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: D C V
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kakoko
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Management, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. thecla.kohi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kohi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. mhalufred@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mhalu
authors.affiliation: Venhalsan, Karolinska Institutet, Sodersjukhuset, Venhalsan, Stockholm, Sweden. eric.sandstrom@sodersjukhuset.se.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sandstrom
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Public Health, Stockholm, Sweden. asli.kulane@ki.se.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulane
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000533:Altruism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D016495:Police / Q000523:psychology*; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013636:Tanzania
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines