Using perceptual mapping methods to understand gender differences in perceived barriers and benefits to HIV clinical research participation: A study with urban minority HIV patients

Minority participation in HIV clinical research is critical to ensure understanding of the impact of current medications or interventions on all populations. Research suggests that men and women may perceive participation differently, but little is known about these differences specifically in minorities. Using Perceptual mapping, a tool to create three-dimensional models that represent how a survey group conceptualizes elements, we surveyed minority HIV patients (n=50) from a Philadelphia HIV clinic to assess perceived risks and benefits of HIV research participation. Perceptual maps were generated by gender to graphically illustrate these concepts and how they impacted willingness to participate in clinical research. Results showed clear differences, with men being farther away from the participation variable. They were specifically more concerned with disclosure of HIV status, experimentation, and not knowing about HIV clinical trials. Men also expressed more distrust of the medical system and researchers and clearly doubted the origin of HIV. Women, on the other hand, were slightly closer to the participation variable and perceived issues surrounding medication to be significant obstacles to participation. Medication barriers included fear of losing the stability that their current medication regime provided, the medication not working in their body, being in the placebo group and experiencing side effects to the drug. Understanding perceptions of HIV clinical research by gender has significant implications for how best to tailor messages to increase minority participation. Gender differences indicate that messages might need to be different for men and women to encourage them to participate in HIV clinical research.