Race and HIV clinical trial participation

This study was designed to examine at the role race/ethnicity plays in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinical trial enrollment.

HIV clinical trials are vitally important for improving knowledge about medications and their impact on the pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS. African Americans are disproportionately underrepresented in HIV clinical trials.

A 49-item survey was administered to 145 patients at an urban HIV clinic to explore race and HIV clinical trial participation.

Study participants were 56% Caucasian, 19% other, 16% African American, and 13% Hispanic. Fewer African Americans had been asked to participate in a trial compared to other groups (8% vs. 24%) (p < .05). African Americans were less likely to volunteer for a trial compared to Hispanics and Caucasians, but African Americans did not differ significantly in their willingness participate in clinical trials vs. other racial groups. In a regression model age, past trial participation, monetary gain, and comfort with the clinical setting predicted willingness to participate in a trial across racial groups (p < .05).

There is a strong need to identify strategies to increase African American enrollment in trials. Such strategies need to begin with trial recruiters actively seeking out African Americans for clinical trial enrollment.