AEGiS-11IAC: Recruitment and retention of women and minorities in HIV clinical research at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, 1994-5.

11th International AIDS Conference

Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

Recruitment and retention of women and minorities in HIV clinical research at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, 1994-5.

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:231 (abstract no. Tu.B.173)
Sherer R, Cohen M, Pulvirenti J, Weber K, Barker D, Boyer K, Henry-Reid L, Lubin B, Luskin-Hawk R, Weinstein R; HIV Center, Division of ID, CCH, & Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Fax: 312-633-3002. E-mail: rsherer@Hektoen.Org.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the 1994 & 1995 recruitment & retention (R&R) experience of women and minorities in clinical trials and epidemiologic studies at Cook County Hospital (CCH), Chicago.

METHODS: We reviewed 1994&5 patient contact, accrual, and retention data for the following research studies at CCH: CPCRA (5 protocols, 132 pts), pediatric ACTG (5 prot., 45 pts), ACTG (10 prot., 49 pts), WITS (82 pts), WIHS (150 pts), Vaccine Prepare (53 pts), Adolescent (10 pts), & proprietary (3 prot.s, 37 pts).

RESULTS: Of 18,595 visits to CCH in 1994&5, 3,280 (18%) were research-related, and of 3,598 patients, 558 (16%) were enrolled in research. Of these 558: 354 (63%) were women; 45 (8%) children age 0-13; 76% African American, 10% nwHispanic, 12% white, & 2% other; & 169 (30%) were IDU. Retention rates in 1994-5 were 93% overall (7% lost to F/U) & ranged from 78%-98%. By trial: CPCRA 94%; peds ACTG 98%; ACTG 94%; WITS 91%; WIHS 96%; VPS 93%; proprietary 78%. In 3 evaluable groups, missed visit rate was 8% (range 7%-12%). R&R strategies included: trial integration into HIV primary care clinic; support services, including case management & groups; transportation; on-site child care; dedicated clinical & clerical research space; bilingual staff & cultural sensitivity training; peer retention specialists; Community Advisory Board work in trial design & conduct; anonymous client feedback forms & satisfaction surveys; community outreach; nursing outreach & education in clinic; 800 # with voic. E-mail: for homeless subjects; cash incentives; food provision; frequent non-study contacts; & drug treatment. Obstacles included overly complex protocols; provider indifference & heavy care loads; pt work schedules; pt fear of exploitation; mistrust of research; homelessness; drug use & lack of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinical trial participation in urban public hospitals is feasible with creative strategies which support the dignity of people living with HIV and attend to their expressed needs. Staff cultural sensitivity training is essential. Clinical trials are central to state-of-the-art HIV primary care & support in public hospital HIV clinics.

Keywords: AEGIS, Clinical Trials, Hospitals, County, Biomedical Research, HIV Infections, Blacks, Case Management, Primary Health Care, Residence Characteristics, Whites, Data Collection, Epidemiologic Studies, Chicago, Human, Female, Adolescence, Child, ICA11

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