This document summarizes a project to build HIV vaccine literacy and acceptance among communities in Kenya through training tutors at Kenya Medical Training Institutions. The project aimed to improve vaccine literacy, advocacy, and community participation in vaccine trials. Tutors were trained on vaccine basics, clinical trials, and community engagement. Six trainings from 2010-2012 trained 177 tutors. Evaluations found increased knowledge and a commitment to advocate for vaccine literacy. Medical training institutions also agreed to incorporate vaccine modules in their curriculum.

1. Building HIV Vaccine Literacy and Acceptance
among communities through training of Tutors
at Kenya Medical Training Institutions.
Joyce Olenja, Sabina Wakasiaka, Gaudensia Mutua,
Jacquelyn Nyange, Omu Anzala, Bashir Farah.

2. Background and context
• KAVI- Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative is a research
institute based at University of Nairobi
• Well known for vaccine trials since 2001
• KAVI in collaboration with Universities of Manitoba
and Toronto received a grant from the GHRI to
address HIV vaccine knowledge translation.
• Establishing KAVI as a centre of excellence for HIV
vaccine/prevention trials in the East African region
Incorporating Social Science Perspectives

3. Key Objective----
Build HIV vaccine literacy and enhance
community engagement in clinical
research

4. Expected Outcomes
• Improved vaccine literacy among various
stakeholders
• Improved advocacy for HIV vaccine research
development by policy makers
• Improved community participation in vaccine
trials- especially women
• Improved participation by Most At Risk
Populations (MARPs)

5. Background and Context
• HIV Prevalence remains a challenge especially in
Africa region(Kenya 6.3%)
• Expansion in development and advocacy for
prevention measures
• Search for a vaccine bears the highest promise.
• Vaccine literacy among stakeholders as critical

6. Why Focus on community literacy?
• The importance of understanding the socio-
cultural context
• Employing a holistic perspective
• Awareness Creation and capacity building
Advocacy for change
• More so for complex research as clinical trials
• The need for community participation
• The challenges of behaviour change

7. PEP
PrEP Prevention of
vertical transmission
Treatment
Comprehensive as prevention
HIV prevention
ARV
Cervical barriers: vaginal
diaphragms
Male
circumcision
Clean injecting Voluntary counselling
equipment and testing

8. Methodology
• Mapping stakeholders with potential influence
on vaccine development
 Policy makers
 Community leaders
 Health service providers
 Community as volunteers and significant
others
• Kenya Medical training college as entry for
vaccine literacy training
 Trains the largest(90%)of health service
providers nationwide
 Have geographic spread

9. Training- The Approach
Sensitization of KMTC
administration.
Local agreement
between the
Letters of Invitation were
Institutions
done by KAVI.
&certification
Feed back &
on- going
Regional Training dialogue on
sessions inclusion of
Nairobi, Coast & Unit Presentations Vaccines in
Eastern, Western, Rift Skills building activity the
Valley Q&A curriculum

10. Training Focus
• Update on HIV Epidemiology
• Vaccine basics
• Clinical trials basics
• Ethical issues in research
- Rights, respect and protection
- Consent
• Community engagement in vaccine trials
-Gender Issues and decision making
-Misconceptions
- Fears and Concerns

11. Results
• Six trainings conducted between 2010 and
2012: 177 Tutors trained
• Increased knowledge on HIV clinical trials.
• Identified role as advocates for vaccine
literacy
• Positive feedback from KMTC management
• A decision by management to incoporate a
module on vaccines within the training
curriculum

12. Workshop Ratings Nairobi
5%
31%
Grade 3
64% Grade 4
Grade 5

13. Workshop Ratings Mombasa
Percent
2%
28%
Grade 3
Grade 4
70%
Grade 5

14. Lessons learnt
• Knowledge translation can be attained using
existing structures
• Service providers require an integrated set of
clinical and social skills
• Service providers appreciate the importance
and relevance of community perspectives in
research
Community understanding
The role /place of gender in decision
making regarding participation in
clinical research

15. Conclusion
• Tutors pivotal position as trainers of service
providers have the potential to cascade
vaccine literacy.
• This finding highlights the importance of
strategic targeting for support to HIV
vaccine development.
• This approach addresses sustainability and
efficiency in knowledge translation and is
relevant for other programmes