Socioecological Influences on Community Involvement in HIV Vaccine Research

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Paula M. Frew, Emory University; Matthew Archibald, Bates College; Brooke Hixson, Emory University; Carlos Del Rio, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-08-18
• Publisher: Elsevier: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.06.082
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Vaccine
• ISSN: 0264-410X
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 36
• Start Page: 6136
• End Page: 6143
• Grant/Funding Information: Partial support was provided by the Emory Center for AIDS Research (P30 AI050409), the Emory Vaccine Center (U19 AI057266), and the Emory HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Unit (U01 AI069418).
• Keywords: HIV Vaccine; Community Engagement; Willingness to Participate; Recruitment; HIV/AIDS; Socioecological Model
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Objective This study investigated socioecological factors influencing HIV vaccine research participation among communities living in geographic areas with high HIV prevalence and high poverty rates. Methods We surveyed a sample of 453 adults ≥ 18 years from areas of high poverty and high HIV prevalence in metro Atlanta and differentiated the effects of individual-, social/organizational-, and community-level characteristics on participation in HIV vaccine research via multilevel modeling techniques that incorporated questionnaire, program, and census data. Results Models that adjusted for both individual-level covariates (such as race, gender, attitudes, and beliefs concerning HIV research), social/organizational- and community-level factors such as local HIV prevalence rates, revealed that the extent of HIV prevention-related programs and services in census tracts contributed to individuals’ likelihood of participation in an HIV vaccine study. Additionally, neighborhood-based organizations offering HIV medical and treatment programs, support groups, and services (e.g., food, shelter, and clothing) encourage greater HIV vaccine research participation. Conclusions The findings support the hypothesis that community-level factors facilitate participation in HIV vaccine research independent of both individual- and social/organizational-level factors.