Future HIV Vaccine Acceptability Among Young Adults in South Africa

Developing and disseminating a preventive HIV vaccine is a primary scientific and public health objective. However, little is known about HIV vaccine acceptability in the high prevalence setting of South Africa—where young adults are likely to be targeted in early dissemination efforts. In 2007, we conducted six focus groups (n=42) with South Africans aged 18-24 years old. We used a deductive framework approach to identify key motivators and barriers to future HIV vaccine uptake. Participants identified HIV testing, HIV stigma, mistrust of the health care system, and concerns about sexual disinhibition as barriers to vaccine uptake. For women, family members and friends were strong motivators for vaccine uptake, while men were more likely to see vaccines as an opportunity to stop using HIV prevention strategies such as condoms and partner reductions. Implications of these findings for developing HIV vaccine dissemination strategies and policy in South Africa are discussed.This research was funded by the Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services (CHIPTS), University of California, Los Angeles (NIMH grant # P3058107). Dr. Sayles received support from an NIH National Research Service Award. Dr. Cunningham received partial support from UCLA/ DREW Project EXPORT, NCMHD, P20MD000148/P20MD000182 and UCLA RCMAR/CHIME, NIA grant #2P30AG021684