P15-07. Knowledge, attitudes, practices and willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials among urban residents of Bamako, Mali, in West Africa, 2005–2009

Background

The GAIA Vaccine Foundation has performed three studies in Bamako Mali to evaluate baseline levels of HIV knowledge and practices (KAP) and willingness to participate (WTP) in an HIV vaccination trial. These studies, performed between 2004–2008, provide a cross-sectional perspective on KAP and WTP in an urban setting in West Africa.

Methods

An initial study was performed at the Faculty of Medicine (279 subjects) in 2004; a second study was performed in the public markets of Bamako (279 subjects), in 2005, and a third was recently performed in Sikoro, a slum located within the city limits of Bamako, where the GAIA Vaccine Foundation has established an HIV care center (399 subjects). All studies were approved by the Malian Ethical committee. Trained interviewers performed the surveys, obtained the participants oral consent, and recorded their knowledge of HIV, HIV transmission, HIV prevention and willingness to participate.

Results

Overall, HIV knowledge was high, 73–93% of participants were knowledgeable about modes of HIV transmission. There was a high level of WTP in vaccine trials among men and women participating in this survey. Among individuals surveyed in the periurban slum setting, in public markets and at the medical school, 78%, 62% and 45% were WTP in HIV vaccine trials, respectively but WTP was higher for malaria and tuberculosis trials. Reasons for WTP were mixed and some participants believed that participation in an HIV vaccine trial would protect them from HIV.

Conclusion

In previous African KAP and WTP studies, WTP ranged from 20% to 77%, average 47%. We observed a higher average level of WTP (62%) among residents Bamako, but misconceptions about reasons to participate in HIV vaccine trials (research vs. altruism) and vaccines in general (do not infect recipient) will need to be addressed prior to engaging in HIV vaccine trials in this region of West Africa.