Interviews with 20 Australian people living with HIV have explored attitudes to clinical trial participation. Using guided interviews and hypothetical situations, the study revealed the complex attitudes that drive willingness to participate in cure research. The 18 men and 2 women didn’t necessarily believe a cure would happen in their lifetime. Most would still enter clinical HIV cure trials, despite potential personal risks. They spoke of giving back to the community and broad social motivations which balanced with concerns about viral rebound and the possibility of passing on the virus to others. This small study stresses the importance of understanding community attitudes.
Cure trial participation takes balance of risks and benefits
