REASONS FOR ENTRY INTO AND UNDERSTANDING OF HIV AIDS CLINICAL-TRIALS - A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

Thirty-two men who participated in a trial of Zidovudine ( > 500 CD4 c ells/10(6) L) were surveyed regarding their reasons for participation in clinical trials. The major source of influence to enter the trial w as the clinic doctor, and importance for self in participation was rat ed as the least important reason. Medical science and medical research ers were seen as the major beneficiaries. Being seen to do, something about one's illness was also seen as being important and probability o f delaying AIDS was rated lowest. Chance of occurrence of risks of tre atment were rated as slightly below 50%. Results of Flesch and Fry tes ts of informed consent documents suggested that they were written in t he style of a scientific article, required the readability level of a university graduate and that recall was imperfect. Those who saw more benefits in their trial participation appeared to be most knowledgeabl e. These data suggest that participation in this clinical trial was ba sed on altruistic, rather than personal reasons and that participants had realistic perceptions of outcomes.