Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access

Effect of race/ethnicity on participation in HIV vaccine trials and comparison to other trials of biomedical prevention

4^th World Congress on Virology

October 06-08, 2014 Hilton San Antonio Airport, TX, USA

Shayesta Dhalla

Accepted Abstracts: J Antivir Antiretrovir

Abstract :

Introduction: Racial / ethnic minorites are underrepresented in actual HIV vaccine trials in North America, and willingness to participate (WTP) and retention in an HIV vaccine trial may differ from Whites. Methods: In this 2014 review, the authors identified HIV vaccine preparedness studies (VPS) in North America in high-risk populations that examined the relationship between race / ethnicity and WTP in a preventive phase 3 HIV vaccine trial, and the relationship to retention. Studies were categorized by risk group, and comparison group (non-Whites vs. Whites). Other types of trials of biomedical prevention were also identified, and WTP and retention rates were compared and contrasted to actual HIV vaccine trials. Results: In the studies identified, WTP in a hypothetical trial HIV vaccine trials did not differ by race / ethnicity. In contrast, actual HIV vaccine trials, an HIV acquisition trial, and a phase 2B preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) trial have enrolled a large percentage of White men. Human papilloma virus (HPV) privately-funded trials have also enrolled a large number of Whites, due to convenience sampling. Retention in the HIV acquisition trial was lower in African-Americans compared to Whites. Conclusion: Strategies to increase WTP and enhanced retention (ER) strategies may help in recruiting and retaining minority participants in actual HIV vaccine trials and other trials of biomedical prevention.