AEGiS-11IAC: Recruitment for an HIV seroincidence study in Brazil: alternative approaches and lessons learned.

11th International AIDS Conference


Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

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Recruitment for an HIV seroincidence study in Brazil: alternative approaches and lessons learned.

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:441 (abstract no. Pub.A.1023)
Santos E, Lago RF, Silva SB, Costa RB, Schechter M, Harrison LH; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

ISSUE: Difficulties in the recruitment of participants for Projeto Praca Onze, a HIVNET-sponsored HIV seroincidence study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

PROJECT: Projeto Praca Onze is a study to evaluate HIV seroincidence and risk factors for HIV transmission among 1,000 men who have sex with men attending 5 anonymous HIV testing sites (ATSs) in Rio de Janeiro. Enrollment, which began July 27, 1995, was slower than predicted because of unforseen barriers to participation. We therefore expanded activities to include the forging of trusting networks within the gay community, recruitment at gay night clubs and bath houses, and the distribution of promotional materials and condom/lubricant vouchers.

RESULTS: Of the first 97 subjects recruited, 44 (45%) were recruited from the ATSs. However, 36 (82%) ATSs volunteers were from the ATS in the same building as Projeto Praca Onze; only 8 (18%) came from the other 4 ATSs, suggesting that physical proximity to the study site is an important factor in participation. Among subjects recruited by other means, 23 (24%) heard about the study from friends (snow ball effect), 16 (16%) were referred by our night club/bath house recruiters, 6 (7%) learned of the study from promotional materials, and 8 (8%) learned of the study from miscellaneous sources.

LESSONS LEARNED: Although the ATSs remain an important source of participants, the expanded activities have made a substantial contribution to enrollment. The recruitment of volunteers for scientific studies requires culturally sensitive approaches. Our experience has highlighted the importance of building a trusting relationship within the gay community to address questions of scientific and public health importance.

Keywords: AEGIS, Homosexuality, Male, HIV Infections, Condoms, HIV Seronegativity, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Antibodies, Learning, HIV Envelope Protein gp120, Brazil, Human, Male, transmission, immunology, ICA11KWDaegis,homosexuality,male,hivinfections,condoms,hivseronegativity,hivseropositivity,hivantibodies,learning,hivenvelopeproteingp120,brazil,human,male,transmission,immunology,ica11

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PubA1023

Copyright © 1996 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.