Determinants of acceptance towards a hypothetical HIV vaccination

This study assessed various factors that may contribute to the likelihood of getting vaccinated for HIV. Three sets of determining factors were explored. Health beliefs, based on the Health Belief Model, looked at perceived susceptibility towards HIV disease, benefits to vaccination, pragmatic barriers to vaccination, fear of the vaccine causing AIDS, perceived non-membership in traditionally defined high-risk groups, and perceived stigmatization of getting HIV vaccination. A second set of factors looked at health-enhancing behaviors (e.g., exercise, seatbelt use), health-compromising behaviors (e.g., alcohol use, smoking), and sexual behaviors (e.g., use of condoms, frequency of partners). Vaccine characteristics based on their cost, efficacy level, and social saturation level, were also investigated. Five hundred fifty-one undergraduates participated in the study. Results based on multiple regression analyses indicated that among the health beliefs, perceived susceptibility, benefits to vaccination, fear of the vaccine, and nonmembership in high-risk groups were significant predictors of HIV immunization. Smoking, frequency of condom use, and prior sexual experience were significant health behavior predictors of HIV immunization. Subjects were also more likely to choose a vaccine that was free, 80% efficacious, and where the social saturation level was 90%. The results of this study suggest that people may have reservations about accepting an HIV vaccine. As HIV vaccine development proceeds, it will be important to continue addressing issues of HIV vaccine acceptance. It is hoped that this study will lay the groundwork for additional, more comprehensive studies in other populations