Participant satisfaction with clinical trial experience and post-trial transitioning to HIV care in Kenya

We conducted an exploratory analysis of former HIV Prevention Trials Network 052 (HPTN 052) clinical trial participants in 2016 to assess their (1) satisfaction with the HPTN 052 clinical trial care and treatment, and reasons for joining the trial; and (2) perspectives about the post-trial transition to public HIV care centers. Quantitative data showed that, of the 70 survey participants, 94.3% (n = 66) reported being very satisfied with the care and treatment they received while participating in the clinical trial and 51.4% (n = 36) reported they joined the study because they would receive information to improve their own or their partner’s health. Qualitative data (five in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions) analysis revealed the following themes: transition experiences; perceived superior clinical trial care; study benefits not offered at public HIV care centers; and the public HIV care centers’ indifference to the uninfected partner. For some HPTN 052 participants, transition to HIV care clinics was disappointing. Clinical trial investigators and local Institutional Review Boards should consider the need for safeguards and oversight of post-trial health care for trial participants after the trial ends, especially in resource-constrained settings, to avoid negative health outcomes.