Adolescent Perspectives on Acceptance of a Chlamydia Vaccine and Willingness to Participate in Vaccine-Related Research

Background: Chlamydia (CT) vaccinology research has the potential to reshape the burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) borne by adolescents and young adults. The purpose of this research is to better understand their perspectives on a CT vaccine and willingness to participate in vaccine-related research. 

Methods: Field interviews were conducted with 106 young women 13-25 years participating in 2-week follow-up interviews associated with a large pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) intervention trial.   Interview questions focused on interim self-care and perspectives on STI research and STI vaccines.  Participants also completed an audio-computerized self- interview providing demographic, reproductive, and sexual health history data.  Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the data.

Results: The mean age of participants was 18.4 years (SD 2.2).  Most participants were African American (96, 92%) with public health insurance (80, 77%), and 51% (53) having a prior history of CT infection.  Most participants (93%) indicated willingness to accept an effective vaccination. Compared to parent/guardians (7%), close friends (1%), and/or sexual partners (6%), health provider recommendation emerged as the most significant individual to recommend the vaccine for acceptance.  Participants with a history of CT were 1.7 (95% CI 0.28-13.7) times more likely to accept CT vaccine than those without.  Most participants were willing to provide blood, saliva, vaginal, and urine specimens.  Only 1/3 reported that participating in CT vaccine research would cause them to feel embarrassed, and predictions of approval from parents, significant others, and friends were generally favorable.

Conclusions: Low-income urban young women with a prior STI and research participation history favorably view CT vaccine research and if proved to be safe, effective, and approved by the government, would receive the vaccine in clinical care.  Contingent valuation research using a societal perspective is needed to generate preference data for use in health economic analysis driving public health policy and resource allocation.