Community Engagement in HIV Vaccine Research: Advancing HIV Vaccine Trial Preparedness among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) in India (2010-2013)
Principal Investigator: Peter Newman, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Co-investigators: Dr. Venkatesan Chakrapani; Dr. Mona Loutfy
Community partners: The Humsafar Trust, Mumbai; Social Welfare Association for Men. Chennai
Funded by: CIHR Operating Grant in HIV Vaccine Social Research
HIV/AIDS is the most deadly disease of modern times. Every day 6,500 people are newly infected with HIV. The best hope for ending AIDS is the development of an AIDS vaccine. Efforts to develop a vaccine depend on clinical trials, medical studies to test if a vaccine works or not. Ultimately these trials must include human volunteers at risk for HIV before a vaccine can be approved. With 95% of people living with HIV in developing countries, we have to ensure that the vaccine works among people where HIV causes the most harm. India has the second highest number of people living with HIV in the world; HIV strongly affects men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as their male and female partners, and children. This 3-year study works with communities of MSM and community-based organizations serving MSM in two large cities in India--Chennai and Mumbai--to design an educational workshop based on a survey of local needs and knowledge. We then evaluate the workshop to see how well it works in increasing knowledge and awareness about clinical trials and HIV vaccines. The goals of the project are: 1) to develop capacity among MSM to make informed decisions about participating or not in HIV vaccine trials; and 2) to enhance community ability to advocate for their rights and needs in HIV vaccine research to make sure that people enter HIV vaccine trials in a fair, clear and ethical manner. The results will be directly useful to vulnerable communities in India, as well as to other vulnerable populations in developing countries and in Canada. The project will advance the goals of the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative and the vital cause of developing an HIV vaccine, towards the ultimate goal of a world without AIDS.