Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bay Windows - August 11, 2005
Ethan Jacobs, ejacobs@baywindows.com.
According to the study, which surveyed more than 2000 adults, mostly men, across the country, 68 percent of MSM either believe one can contract HIV by participating in a vaccine trial or are unsure whether one could contract the virus by participating, compared to 24 percent of the general population. Matthew Murguia, co-author of the study, said the fears of contracting HIV from taking part are understandable but unwarranted.
"Most folks don't read the details of research, and HIV in general is still scary for people. And given the fact that a lot of the vaccines developed to date use the virus that is being tested for... most people automatically assume we're going to use HIV in the vaccines that we test. And it's actually the opposite," said Murguia.
Yet despite this misinformation, gay and bi men are more willing than the general population to step up to the plate and participate in research. The study found that 68 percent of MSM would support a friend or family member volunteering to participate, versus 29 percent of the general population.
"We are looking for anything that we can to bring us some hope to bring an end to the epidemic," said Murguia. "We're not as scared of the word HIV or AIDS as other communities are, and there's not as much stigma around HIV."
He said NIH is working with community groups to educate at-risk populations about the safety of vaccine trials.
Dr. Kenneth Mayer, research medical director at Fenway Community Health, where a vaccine trial is currently underway, said the study shows the challenges faced in recruiting people for these trials. Fenway has recruited between 200-300 MSM for trials over the past decade, and Mayer said there is a need to educate potential participants about how vaccines are made and why they are safe.
Yet Mayer said the willingness of gay and bi men to participate in studies underscores their commitment to put the good of the community ahead of their own good. He said participants agree to take part knowing that they could be receiving a vaccine that will not work, or a placebo.
"[The NIH study has] underscored that in the gay community there is a lot of altruism, and that the people who go into trials know that the reason to go into trials is to help their brothers and sisters around the world. It may not be of personal benefit to them," said Mayer.
For more information on Fenway's current vaccine trial visit www.fenwayhealth.org or call 617.927.6450.
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