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Existing gaps in microbicide research and development process: perspectives from trial participants
Presented by Morenike Ukpong, Nigeria.
Ukpong M.1, Oladapo O.1
1Nigeria HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Group, Lagos, Nigeria
Objectives: To identify issues of great significance that are pertinent to microbicide research and development from the perspectives of trial participants.
Methods: NHVMAG organised a 4 hour roundtable discussion about microbicide and the research and development efforts with 19 trial participants from a microbicide trial research site in Nigeria. The facilitator discussed about microbicide – the research and development efforts as well as the informed consent process. Trial participants were asked to share their experience and concepts about microbicide with respect to their experience from the trial. At the end of the roundtable discussion, the facilitator also held individual discussions with a few individuals to elicit some more information.
Results: All the trial participants were comfortable and happy with their treatment at the trial site. The trial participants knew very little about microbicides in general. Only 5.6% of interviewee were familiar with the word microbicide A few of the trial participants were truly not eligible for the trial. However, they knew the information required of them for eligibility and thus gave such information. None of the participants understood the concept of randomisation. There was very little done in the way of verifying participants claims of use of product. Many expressed concern with respect to the possibility of low use of product in the future. Concerns were also expressed on the need to prevent development of fake products.
Conclusions: Facilitated discussions with trial participants by persons independent of the trial could help elicit information that are critical to the microbicide research and development process. Views and perspectives of trial participants are crucial and critical to product formulation and development.
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