AEGiS-13IAC: Community knowledge and attitudes on vaccines and HIV vaccine: A community based preparation for HIV vaccine testing, Rakai district, Uganda.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

Community knowledge and attitudes on vaccines and HIV vaccine: A community based preparation for HIV vaccine testing, Rakai district, Uganda.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. MoOrC125)

Kiwanuka N, Wawer MJ, Serwadda D, Kiddugavu MG, Nalugoda FK, Lutalo T, Sewankambo NK, Wabwire - Mangen F, Gray RH
N. Kiwanuka, Rakai Project Uganda Virus Research Institute, PO Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda, Tel.: +256 413 217 00, Fax: +256 413 202 76, E-mail: nkiwanuka@infocom.co.ug

OBJECTIVE: To assess community knowledge and attitudes to HIV vaccine in preparation for community-based HIV vaccine trials. Design: Population-based cohort.

METHODS: During the initial visit (April-Dec., 1999) of Community HIV Epidemiological Research in Rakai, Uganda, all consenting adults 15-49 years resident in 56 communities were interviewed at home to determine HIV risky behaviors, and knowledge and attitudes about vaccination and HIV vaccine. Subjects were asked the purpose of vaccines, worries about vaccines, and awareness of the HIV vaccine existence and testing. Blood was collected for HIV-1 serology.

RESULTS: Among 10848 enrolled, 99% had ever heard of vaccination, 84% previously vaccinated against infectious diseases. Overall 73% reported disease prevention as the use of vaccines; adolescents were less likely than adults to report prevention (OR = 0.57 95% CI 0.52-0.63), so were the less educated (p-value 0.0000). Regardless of education, 83% expressed no worries about vaccines, 3.1% feared that vaccines induce illnesses, and 8.0% feared vaccines kill. Adults were more likely to have worries on vaccines (OR = 1.76 95% CI 1.45-2.13). Over 90% believed vaccines are for children and women, only 27% believe they are for men as well. Sixty seven percent believed that HIV vaccines were already available, 41% knew that HIV vaccines were being tested, only 13% thought a vaccine would control HIV/AIDS.

CONCLUSION: This population has good knowledge on vaccination and HIV vaccine, though majority thinks vaccines are not for men. Generally there are no worries about vaccines. Continued community preparation targeting especially adolescents and less educated is likely to enhance participation in HIV vaccine trials.

Keywords: AEGIS, AIDS Vaccines, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Knowledge, Research Design, Mass Screening, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Vaccination, AIDS Serodiagnosis, Laboratory Techniques and Procedures, Uganda, Human, Male, Female, Adolescence, Adult, Child
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MoOrC125