Evaluation of behavioral and social issues among Thai HIV vaccine trial volunteers

Behavioral and social issues were investigated in phase I/II preventive HIV vaccine trial volunteers in Thailand. These included risk behavior, HIV kn owledge, distress, and social experiences associated with trial participati on. Data were collected at baseline and at 4- and 8-month follow-up visits. Volunteers reported relatively low levels of risk behaviors at baseline an d at the follow-up visits. About one fifth reported overtly negative reacti ons from family or friends. No problems with discrimination in employment, health care, or insurance were reported. Findings add to the evidence sugge sting the feasibility of phase I/II prophylactic HIV vaccine trials with lo w-risk volunteers in Thailand.