Willingness of young persons in Western Nigeria to participate in HIV vaccine trials

Background An estimated 36.7 million people live with HIV/AIDS in 2015, with more than 3 million people living with the virus in Nigeria, ranking the country among the top three most affected. Because adults are mostly affected by this epidemic, their inclusion in HIV vaccine trials is of utmost importance in obtaining an effective and acceptable vaccine. This study was thus aimed at evaluating the factors determining adults (young persons) willingness‐to‐ participate (WTP) as well as their entire knowledge and perception about HIV vaccine trials. Methods Data was obtained from 3500 young persons (18‐49 years) recruited by a multi‐stage sample technique. The cross‐sectional study was carried out using a face‐to‐face interview. An informed consent was obtained through a pre‐tested structured questionnaire, with questions addressing socio‐ demographics, HIV vaccine studies knowledge and perception, sexual behaviour and possible stigma from HIV vaccine trial participation. Data was analysed using SPSS software, with significance fixed at P