AEGiS-09IAC: Outreach strategies as a framework for clinical trials.

9th International AIDS Conference

Berlin, Germany — June 6-11, 1993

Outreach strategies as a framework for clinical trials.

Int Conf AIDS 1993 Jun 6-11; 9:127 (abstract no. WS-D24-3)
Luna M, Palacios M, Garcia ML, Valdespino JL, Weissenbacher M, Daniels E, Peruga A, Navarro S, Martinez J, Salame E, et al; National Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference, Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: AIDS epidemic in Mexico has extended to young people belonging to lower socioeconomic strata who don't attend HIV detection centers. With the purpose of recruiting this group into clinical trials, a mobile unit was established.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a mobile unit to recruit participants into clinical trials.

METHODS: The mobile unit is composed by 2 nurse-counselors and 4 recruiters who have received specific training and who travel in an adapted vehicle which stands at or near "flirting" areas on late hours (17 to 24 hrs). They offer general information on HIV/AIDS/STD's, pretest counseling, sampling for HIV, application and lecture of PPD, candidin and tetanic toxoid and promote attendance to clinical sites for HIV results.

RESULTS: Between Dec. 91 and Dec. 92, 1220 subjects were served. Sociodemographic profile: Men: 83%: average age: 20 yrs, (12% younger than 18 yrs); high school scholarship or less: 79%. Transmission categories: Homosexual 51%, bisexual 27%, heterosexual 22%. HIV prevalence 18%; of those positive, 81.6% were not previously aware of their serologic status. Sixty-two percent of subjects had not had an HIV test previously; 42.3% later attended clinical sites for HIV results and post-test counseling. Six percent of HIV+ were recruited into clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS: The mobile unit has proved to be an effective method to reach groups who would not have otherwise approached HIV detection centers and who have a high HIV prevalence. It also represents a strategy for recruiting subjects into clinical trials for whom participation in these trials represents the sole option of clinical care.

Keywords: AEGIS, Clinical Trials, HIV, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Bisexuality, HIV-1, Homosexuality, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, HIV-2, HIV Seroprevalence, Prevalence, Counseling, Social Welfare, HIV Antibodies, Heterosexuality, Mexico, Human, Male, ICA9
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