A small dose of HIV? HIV vaccine mental models and risk communication.

Abstract	Existing knowledge and beliefs related to HIV vaccines provide an important basis for the development of risk communication messages to support future HIV vaccine dissemination. This study explored HIV vaccine mental models among adults from segments of the population disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Nine focus groups were conducted with participants (N = 99; median age = 33 years; 48% female; 22% African American, 44% Latino, and 28% white) recruited from needle exchange sites, public clinics, and gay community centers in Los Angeles. Data were analyzed using narrative thematic analysis and Ethnograph qualitative software. Mental models of HIV vaccines included live virus, side effects, complete protection (100% efficacy, lifetime protection, reduced anxiety about HIV/AIDS), and "high-risk groups." HIV vaccine risk communication to counter undue fears of vaccine-induced infection and side effects and to mitigate exaggerated expectations of a "magic bullet" may be vital to the effectiveness of first-generation HIV vaccines in controlling the AIDS epidemic.
Authors	Peter A Newman, Danielle S Seiden, Kathleen J Roberts, Lisa Kakinami, Naihua Duan
Journal	Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education (Health Educ Behav) Vol. 36 Issue 2 Pg. 321-33 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1090-1981 [Print] United States
PMID	18032589 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References	AIDS Vaccines Vaccines, Attenuated
Topics	AIDS Vaccines (adverse effects, therapeutic use) Adolescent Adult Communication Female HIV Infections (prevention & control, psychology) Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Homosexuality, Male (psychology) Humans Male Middle Aged Poverty Racial Groups (psychology, statistics & numerical data) Risk Factors Substance Abuse, Intravenous (epidemiology, psychology) Vaccines, Attenuated (adverse effects) Young Adult

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