Influences on visit retention in clinical trials: Insights from qualitative research during the VOICE trial in Johannesburg, South Africa
The Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic (VOICE) trial tests HIV prevention approaches
Abstract
Researchers conducted a qualitative study of the social contextual factors that influenced adherence to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in VOICE trial. Women’s kinship, social and economic roles shaped their ability to participate in the clinical trial.
Participants expressed strong commitment to attending study visits but clinic visit schedules and lengthy waiting times interfered with their multiple obligations as care givers, wage earners, housekeepers and students.
The research findings highlight the importance of attending to the social context shaping participation in HIV prevention trials, rather than focusing solely on individual characteristics, in order to establish a lively culture of participation.
This research is supported by the Department for International Development’s STRIVE Programme which is led by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Citation
Magazi, B.; Stadler, J.; Delany-Moretlwe, S.; Montgomery, E.; Mathebula, F.; Hartmann, M.; van der Straten, A. Influences on visit retention in clinical trials: Insights from qualitative research during the VOICE trial in Johannesburg, South Africa. BMC Women’s Health (2014) 14 (1) 88. [DOI: 10.1186/1472-6874-14-88]