Altruism motivates participation in a therapeutic HIV vaccine trial (CTN 173)

Abstract

This is the first study examining motivation to participate in an HIV therapeutic vaccine trial of Remune and ALVAC. Trial participants (N=49) completed psychological measures at baseline. While 69% reported some personal risk in participating, 100% felt hopeful for societal benefits. Trial participants also reported high levels of existential well-being (e.g., “I believe there is some real purpose for my life”). Results suggest that HIV therapeutic vaccine trial participants are highly motivated by altruism and that participating in research may contribute meaning to living with HIV. Fostering altruism and responsibly promoting the societal benefits of research may facilitate trial participation.

Keywords:

• HIV therapeutic vaccines
• motivation
• altruism
• CTN 173

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), the CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), the Canadian Network for Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics (CANVAC), and Aventis Pasteur. Jonathan Angel is supported as an OHTN Career Scientist. Cécile Tremblay and Jean-Pierre Routy are supported by Fonds de Recherche en Santé du Québec (FRSQ).

The authors thank all the study participants for their contributions to this research. The authors also thank Nancy Lamoureux, Genevieve Gélanger-Jasmin, Linda Racicot, Geneviève Bujold, and Pierrette Bouchard for their assistance with coordinating data collection and study management. As well, the authors thank Juzer Kakal for his assistance with coordinating the preparation and submission of this manuscript.