Abstract
This paper presents empirical data on motivation to join an HIV prevention trial of vaginal microbicide gels in Malawi and Zimbabwe, and participant assumption of a preventive misconception. Interviews were conducted with women participating in the trial and their male partners. Most of the female participants were able to adequately describe basic aspects of the trial design. HIV counseling and testing were primary reasons motivating women’s participation, and male partners’ support of the trial. 29% of women and 20% of men also provided indications of a preventive misconception, attributing gel use and trial participation to avoiding HIV infection.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Marshall P. Ethical challenges in study design and informed consent for health research in resource-poor settings. Geneva: WHO; 2007.
Tun W, Gange SJ, Vlahov D, et al. Increase in sexual risk behavior associated with immunologic response to highly active antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected injection drug users. Clin Infect Dis. 2004;38:1167–74.
Kawango E, Agot JN, Kiarie H, et al. Male Circumcision in Siaya and Bondo Districts, Kenya prospective cohort study to assess behavioral disinhibition following circumcision. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2007;44:66–70.
Foss AM, Vickerman PT, Heise L, Watts CH. Shifts in condom use following microbicide introduction: should we be concerned? AIDS. 2003;17:1227–37.
Simon A, Lavori W, Sugarman J. Preventive misconception: its nature, presence and ethical implications for research. Am J Prev Med. 2007;32(5):370–4.
Emanuel EJ, Currie XE, Herman A. Undue inducement in clinical research in developing countries: is it a worry? Lancet. 2005;366:336–40.
Abdool Karim SS, Richardson BA, Ramjee G, et al. Safety and effectiveness of BufferGel and 0.5% PRO2000 gel for the prevention of HIV infection in women. AIDS. 2011;25(7):957–66.
Simons-Rudolph A, Woodsong C, Koo H. Modeling the social context of microbicide use. Microbicide Q. 2008;6(4):1–11.
Mantell J, Morar N, Myer L, Ramjee G. “We Have Our Protector”: misperceptions of protection against HIV among participants in a microbicide efficacy trial. Am J Pub Health. 2006;96(6):1073–7.
Stadler J, Saethre E. Blockage and flow: intimate experiences of condoms and microbicides in a South African clinical trial. Cult Health Sex. 2011;13(1):31–44.
Green E, Batona G, Hallad J, et al. Acceptability and adherence of a candidate microbicide gel among high-risk women in Africa and India. Cult Health Sex. 2010;12(7):739–54.
Abdool Karim Q, Abdool Karim SS, Frohlich JA, et al. Effectiveness and safety of Tenofovir gel, an antiretroviral microbicide, for the prevention of HIV infection in women. Science. 2010;329:1168–74.
Acknowledgements
Research support for this study was funded by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) grant R01HD048330, although the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of NICHD. HPTN 035 was funded by the United States National Institutes of Health. The study was designed and implemented by the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) and the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN). The HPTN (U01AI046749) has been funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The MTN (U01AI068633) has been funded by the NIAID, NICHD, and NIMH. ReProtect, Inc., and Endo Pharmaceuticals (formerly Indevus Pharmaceuticals Inc.) supplied the BufferGel and PRO 2000 Gel tested in this study free of charge. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported the manufacturing of BufferGel for this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Woodsong, C., Alleman, P., Musara, P. et al. Preventive Misconception as a Motivation for Participation and Adherence in Microbicide Trials: Evidence from Female Participants and Male Partners in Malawi and Zimbabwe. AIDS Behav 16, 785–790 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0027-7
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0027-7