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Enlisting Local Media in Recruitment for HIV Vaccine Trials: The Botswana Experience Background: In June 2003, the first phase I HIV vaccine trial in the southern Africa region began in Gaborone, Botswana. In preparation for the trial, a media communications strategy was developed, with primary goals of information dissemination and volunteer recruitment. Methods: The Media Communications Strategy included key message development, materials development, and planning targeted events for the national media. All TV, radio and newspaper coverage of the vaccine trial was documented from May 1 to December 31, 2003. Potential volunteers contacting the vaccine trial site were asked to cite their primary source of information about the vaccine trial. Results: From May 1 to December 31, 2003, approximately 31 vaccine trial media reports were recorded in the Botswana media (2 TV, 7 radio, 22 newspaper articles). During this period 109 individuals contacted the vaccine clinic for more information of which 103 cited where they first heard about the trial. Of these 103 potential volunteers, 45 (43.7%) reported the media as their primary source of information, 45 (43.7%) reported an education/recruitment activity with study staff (presentations, mall events, education materials), 6 (5.8%) reported both, and 7 (6.8 %) reported receiving initial information from a friend. Forty-nine (49) of these potential volunteers were further screened to determine eligibility for trial participation of which the majority reported media only as their primary source 33 (67.4%), while fewer reported presentations with study staff only 12 (24.5%), both media and presentations 3 (6.1 %) or a friend 1 (2.0%) as their primary source. Conclusions: The national media has been useful in generating interest in and recruiting volunteers for the first HIV vaccine trial in Botswana. Media should be utilized continuously to give trial updates and to keep the community involved as important stakeholders in the vaccine trial research process, particularly while trial recruitment is ongoing. Total=299 Authors: Tonya L. Villafana Carisa Cunningham Rupert Hambira Michelle Schaan Joseph Makhema Matthews Mkandla Bakgaki Ratshaa Gillian Goodwin Keemenao Matshediso Peninah Thumbi Patson Mazonde Ibou Thior Max Essex |