Acceptance of a Potential HIV/AIDS Vaccine among Minority Women

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2008

Publication Title

Journal of the National Medical Association

Volume

100

Issue

7

First page number:

802

Last page number:

816

Abstract

Purpose To explore the attitudes, opinions and concerns of minority women regarding acceptance of a potential HIV/ AIDS vaccine. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with high-risk minority women (≥18 years of age) attending an urban Atlanta health clinic specializing in sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Interviews were transcribed and content analyzed to identify common factors related to acceptance of an HIV/AIDS vaccine. Results Nine major themes were identified. These were general acceptance of an HIV/AIDS vaccine, concerns about the vaccine, vaccine knowledge, testing and research, provider recommendation, mistrust, alternative medicine, misperceptions and vaccine accessibility/availability. A strong theme emerged about the need for information from HIV/AIDS vaccine clinical trials, including the demographics of the studies’ volunteer base, to inform decision-making about taking an HIV/AIDS vaccine in the future. Conclusions Although fewer than half of the women indicated they would receive or recommend the vaccine, most agreed that development of a vaccine was an important endeavor. The findings of this study may assist in future efforts to determine how best to promote acceptance of an HIV/AIDS vaccine to minority women should one become available.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS; Prevention; Women's Health; Minority health; Research

Disciplines

Health Services Research | Immunology of Infectious Disease | Virology

Language

English

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