Recruitment and Follow Up of High Risk HIV Negative Volunteers in Preparation For Vaccine Trials, Kenyan Case

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) research will con-tinue to face significant barriers unless solution to enroll-ment and follow up are found. 30 high-risk HIV negativeindividuals were recruited and followed up every threemonths for 9 months. Multiple approaches were used inrecruitment. Community education seminars were con-ducted in nightclubs and the public gatherings. Postersand fliers were used to invite people to the seminars.Reading materials were provided to enhancing under-standing. In every visit volunteers were counseled andinformation on their high-risk behaviour was collected. The study shows that the follow up was 90% for the 30 volunteers. Two of the volunteers lost follow up in their third visit. The success of the follow up was due to coun-seling and mobilization 2 of the community. Challengesencountered in recruitment and follow up include low lit-eracy levels, poverty, gender inequality, stigma, fears andmistrust about the vaccine. The volunteers could be easily recruited and retained for future vaccine studies.