Willingness to participate in HIV-1 vaccine trials among young Thai men

Objectives: Willingness to participate in HIV-1 vaccine trials and associat ed factors were investigated in a sample of 2670 Royal Thai Army conscripte d recruits. Methods: Self administered questionnaires were used. Data were collected du ring the final visit of a longitudinal cohort study of HIV-1 epidemiology. Cross sectional analysis of data from this visit was performed. Results: 32% of che respondents reported they would "definitely" join an HI V-1 Vaccine trial. Greater willingness was associated with perceived risk o f HIV-1 infection and a desire to help Thai society, although tangible ince ntives and intentions to reduce condom use in a vaccine trial also were ass ociated with increased willingness. Concerns about physical harm and antici pated social pressure from family not to join were the most substantial imp ediments to willingness. Concerns about "social harm" (for trample, partici pation would give appearance of having AIDS virus, a partner might refuse s ex) also appeared to inhibit interest in joining trials and approached sign ificance. Conclusions: Willingness to participate was somewhat greater than in other investigations of non-injection drug user (IDU) cohorts in Thailand, with f ewer concerns expressed about physical harm. Motivations appear to involve tradeoffs among perceived risk, anticipated social pressure, altruism, and tangible rewards. The absence of significant problems associated with vacci ne trials to date, along with the presence of educational interventions in the study may help explain the lower level of concerns here relative to oth er Thai studies.