Morris DM, Olsen SJ, Chiasson MA, Sackoff JE, Koblin B, Stevens C; HIV Infection in Women Conference.
Program Abstr HIV Infect Women Conf HIV Infect Women Conf 1995 Wash DC. 1995 Feb 22-24; P71.
New York City Department of Health, New York, NY.
Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of minority inner city women about HIV vaccine trials. Methods: Four focus groups, each consisting of 8-12 women recruited from a New York City STD clinic, were conducted at the clinic. Results: The majority of women were either African-American or Hispanic, ranging in age from 15 to 56. Most women understood the role of existing vaccines in disease prevention. There were misconceptions about HIV and routes of transmission. Changing personal behavior was not mentioned as a way of preventing HIV infection, yet these women were eager to learn more. They expressed an interest in participating in a vaccine trial feasibility study that offered counseling, HIV testing, and social services. However, only two women were interested in an actual HIV vaccine trial. In general, there was great apprehension about receiving an experimental vaccine which would expose them to even part of the virus. Additionally, distrust of the government would be a strong deterrent against participation in a trial. These women believed that wealthy people would be the only recipients of an effective AIDS vaccine. Conclusion: Dissemination of information on HIV prevention to this high risk population is inadequate. Intensive community-based education programs will be an essential component of any vaccine trial in this population.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- AIDS Vaccines
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- African Americans
- Attitude
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Counseling
- Female
- Focus Groups
- HIV Infections
- Health Education
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Hispanic Americans
- Humans
- Knowledge
- Minority Groups
- New York City
Other ID:
UI: 102214927
From Meeting Abstracts