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Published in: BMC Public Health 3/2017

Open Access 01-07-2017 | Research

Using surrogate vaccines to assess feasibility and acceptability of future HIV vaccine trials in men: a randomised trial in inner-city Johannesburg, South Africa

Authors: Lucy Chimoyi, Mphatso Kamndaya, Emilie Venables, Nina von Knorring, Jonathan Stadler, Catherine MacPhail, Matthew F. Chersich, Helen Rees, Sinead Delany-Moretlwe

Published in: BMC Public Health | Special Issue 3/2017

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Abstract

Background

Developing an effective HIV vaccine is the overriding priority for HIV prevention research. Enrolling and maintaining cohorts of men into HIV vaccine efficacy trials is a necessary prerequisite for the development and licensure of a safe and efficacious vaccine.

Methods

One hundred-fifty consenting HIV-negative men were enrolled into a pilot 1:1 randomised controlled trial of immediate vaccination with a three-dose hepatitis B vaccine compared to deferred vaccination (at 12 months) to investigate feasibility and acceptability of a future HIV vaccine trial in this population. Adverse events, changes in risk behaviour, acceptability of trial procedures and motivations for participation in future trials were assessed.

Results

Men were a median 25 years old (inter-quartile range = 23–29), 53% were employed, 90% secondary school educated and 67% uncircumcised. Of the 900 scheduled study visits, 90% were completed in the immediate vaccination arm (405/450) and 88% (396/450) in the delayed arm (P = 0.338). Acceptability of trial procedures and services was very high overall. However, only 65% of the deferred group strongly liked being randomised compared to 90% in the immediate group (P = 0.001). Informed consent processes were viewed favourably by 92% of the delayed and 82% of the immediate group (P = 0.080). Good quality health services, especially if provided by a male nurse, were rated highly. Even though almost all participants had some concern about the safety of a future HIV vaccine (98%), the majority were willing to participate in a future trial. Future trial participation would be motivated mainly by the potential for accessing an effective vaccine (81%) and altruism (75%), rather than by reimbursement incentives (2%).

Conclusions

Recruitment and retention of men into vaccine trials is feasible and acceptable in our setting. Findings from this surrogate vaccine trial show a high willingness to participate in future HIV vaccine trials. While access to potentially effective vaccines is important, quality health services are an equally compelling incentive for enrolment.
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Metadata
Title
Using surrogate vaccines to assess feasibility and acceptability of future HIV vaccine trials in men: a randomised trial in inner-city Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors
Lucy Chimoyi
Mphatso Kamndaya
Emilie Venables
Nina von Knorring
Jonathan Stadler
Catherine MacPhail
Matthew F. Chersich
Helen Rees
Sinead Delany-Moretlwe
Publication date
01-07-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue Special Issue 3/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4355-z

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