[Medium-term acceptability of HIV vaccine clinical trials in Burkina Faso: stakeholders' perceptions]

The ideal response to HIV would be the discovery of an effective vaccine. Evaluation of the benefit/risk balance of this vaccine must include Africa, where the majority of HIV infections are observed. This study was designed to identify the perceptions and the medium-term acceptability of a potential vaccine trial in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

After a "literature review", data were collected from key informants, "pimps" of prostitutes, representatives of HIV and/or AIDS associations, facilitators and peer educators. Data were transcribed and analysed manually.

The vast majority of respondents considered that it would be relevant to test an HIV vaccine in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Almost all prostitutes would participate in such a trial and would be motivated by several factors. Potential participants were willing to play the role expected of them. A real communication strategy will be needed to conduct this trial.

The results of this study are similar to those of previous studies conducted in Burkina Faso concerning the acceptability/feasibility of clinical trials. Acceptability studies of clinical trials are therefore becoming less and less relevant. Reinforcing the skills/capacities of all stakeholders and/or adequate preparation of participants to play the role expected of them are therefore now more important than acceptability studies.