Fernandes N, Schechter M, Harrison L, Lago R; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. WePeC4467.
N. Fernandes, Projeto Praca Onze - Brasil/ HIVNET, Rua Sao Clemente 389/, 102. Botafogo, Brazil, Tel.: +55 21 266 52 59, Fax: +55 21 539 81 66, E-mail: ponze@ax.apc.org
Background: The subject of this investigation is the willingness of volunteers to participate in an HIV vaccine trial. The database of Projeto Praca Onze, an HIV seroincidence study in Rio de Janeiro from 1995 and 1998 was used. The target population of this project consisted of men who had sex with men (MSM). Methods: The main objective was to investigate through the reports of a sample of those volunteers the constructions and myths involved in the willingness of Projeto Praca Onze volunteers to participate in an HIV vaccine trial. The methodology used in the research was the oral history interview, which emphasizes the speech as an important and revealing resource not only of subjectivity but also of the world visions inserted in their historic, social, economic and cultural conditions. Results: The interviews indicated that the willingness to participate in a vaccine trial is determined by many motivations. In a first moment, the volunteers join the project because they need to know their serological status following an unsafe sexual activity. After a negative anti-HIV test result, this motivation changes. That may be either altruistic and prestigious or even a certain "battle myth" against HIV (Hawkins 1993). Conclusions: The commitment of the homosexual individuals in the battle against the AIDS epidemic is remarkable, which is motivated by the impact suffered by this particular group. In many of the reports was identified a feeling of solidarity and honor to friends living with the disease, or who have died of it.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- AIDS Vaccines
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Homosexuality
- Humans
- Male
- Motivation
- Sexual Behavior
Other ID:
UI: 102240733
From Meeting Abstracts