Journal of
Public Health and Epidemiology

  • Abbreviation: J. Public Health Epidemiol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2316
  • DOI: 10.5897/JPHE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 655

Full Length Research Paper

A qualitative study on experiences of HIV vaccine trial participants in a phase I/II double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial in Tanzania: Lessons for COVID-19 vaccine testing

Erica S. Sanga
  • Erica S. Sanga
  • 1NIMR-Mwanza Medical Research Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania. 2NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania. 3The School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, South Africa.
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Brian Van Wyk
  • Brian Van Wyk
  • The School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, South Africa.
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Leonard L. Maboko
  • Leonard L. Maboko
  • 2NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania., 4Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS), Dar-es-Salaam-Tanzania.
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Simukai Shamu
  • Simukai Shamu
  • The School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, South Africa., 5Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa. 6The University of the Witwatersrand, School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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  •  Received: 14 June 2021
  •  Accepted: 27 July 2021
  •  Published: 31 August 2021

Abstract

HIV remains a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. About 54.5% of all people living with HIV live in Eastern and Southern Africa. There is no HIV vaccine or cure available yet despite ongoing research to develop one and uptake of vaccines is critical in the global society. It is imperative to describe the perceptions and experiences of the vaccines trial participants, as they may give lessons for COVID-19 vaccine development. A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to describe the experiences of volunteers who participated in a phase I/II HIV vaccine trial in Tanzania. A purposive sample of 20 of the 60 trial participants was interviewed. Interviews were subjected to thematic-content analysis. The study showed that trial participation was driven by positive expectations related to health and the realization of the need for an effective vaccine to combat HIV. However, fear and concerns about the safety of the trial vaccine were the frequently reported challenges to participation. The significant others and community play an important role in trial participation. The success of a trial depends on direct and indirect participation in trials. Future vaccine trials must promote positive expectations for trial participation and address fears and concerns related to vaccine safety.

Key words: HIV Vaccine trial, participant experiences, COVID-19 vaccine trial, trial benefits and challenges, Tanzania.