AEGiS-13IAC: Community-based HIV vaccine trial preparation in northern Thailand, 1998-1999: A health fair enrollment approach.

13th International AIDS Conference

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

Community-based HIV vaccine trial preparation in northern Thailand, 1998-1999: A health fair enrollment approach.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. ThOrD682)

Khamboonruang C, Natpratan P, Borwornsin S, Beyrer C, Srirak N, McNeil J, Renzullo P, Benenson M, Natpratan C
C. Khamboonruang, Office of Communicable Disease Control, Region 10, 447 Lampoon Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand, Tel.: +66 53 273 361, Fax: +66 53 271 020, E-mail: chawalit@cm.ksc.co.th

OBJECTIVES: In order to mount Phase III HIV vaccine efficacy trials, large numbers of volunteers need to be approached, offered counseling, screened for HIV infection, and retained at high rates. We developed and implemented a Health Fair approach to establish large community-based seroincidence cohorts in northern Thailand.

METHODS: Peri-urban communities around Chiang Mai City were selected for high HIV prevalence and low mobility. Local health workers, community leaders and volunteers did community outreach and assessed willingness to participate. Informed consent and self-admin questionnaires were done at home, followed by health fairs at local Buddhist Temples. Volunteers received group pre-test counseling, stool for O &P, chest x-rays, and blood draws for HIV and syphilis on enrollment days, and returned to local health centers 2 wks later for individual post-test counseling; the process was repeated 6 months later. TB, parasite, and syphilis treatment were offered as needed.

RESULTS: We enrolled, screened and counseled 4533 community volunteers in 2 months of enrollment, at an average rate of 200 persons/day. Retention over 6 months was high in both cohorts, a total of 4266 of 4533 (94.1%) completed the study.

CONCLUSIONS: The health fair approach is effective for rapid enrollment of large numbers of volunteers. The primary incentive for participants appeared to be chest x-rays. HIV testing and counseling can be done at community level, and appears best accepted as part of larger health promotion program.

Keywords: AEGIS, AIDS Vaccines, HIV Infections, Thailand, Health Fairs, Clinical Trials, Prevalence, Counseling, Syphilis, Research Design, HIV Seropositivity
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