Fostering vaccine confidence: the role of vaccine trial participation in shaping adolescent self-worth and community trust
1
Be Part Yoluntu NPC, Paarl, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Tuberculosis (TB), a potentially vaccine preventable disease, remains a global health priority, yet adolescent engagement in vaccine research is often understudied. The successful outcome of a long-term clinical trial is largely dependent on the acceptance demonstrated by the participant community. This study investigated the psychosocial drivers behind adolescent vaccine trial participation – exploring how research involvement positively influences adolescent self-worth – which could possibly enhance community vaccine confidence.
METHODS:
A qualitative, anonymous survey was conducted among healthy adolescent participants aged 14–17 years taking part in a TB vaccine trial. Data were collected at two time points: baseline (pre-screening) and one-month post-baseline. The surveys evaluated motivations for participation, perceptions of the research process, and changes in self-image during the trial.
RESULTS:
Twenty-three adolescents (78.3% female) answered the baseline survey, and 18 out of 19 enrolled adolescents (66.7% female) completed the one-month follow-up. Initially, participants were motivated by personal health benefits, including free medical check-ups (39.1%) and increased knowledge of their bodies (82.6%). Notably, 91.3% believed TB vaccine research would provide a sense of purpose and self-worth. After one month, participants reported feeling empowered, with 44% believing they were making a difference and 28% feeling their voices were heard. On the question of whether their self-image had changed since joining the research, 88.9% concurred, with 44.4% describing themselves as "heroes" or "a big deal" due to their contribution to global health research.
CONCLUSIONS:
Involving adolescent participants in tuberculosis vaccine trials fosters a profound sense of self-worth and agency, at a life-stage often characterised by self-doubt. Empowering youth to view their participation as a pivotal voice in shaping the future of global health, strengthens the personal and community trust essential for vaccine confidence. Recognising these altruistic and psychosocial motivators is key to improving vaccine trial retention and long-term vaccine advocacy.
Tuberculosis (TB), a potentially vaccine preventable disease, remains a global health priority, yet adolescent engagement in vaccine research is often understudied. The successful outcome of a long-term clinical trial is largely dependent on the acceptance demonstrated by the participant community. This study investigated the psychosocial drivers behind adolescent vaccine trial participation – exploring how research involvement positively influences adolescent self-worth – which could possibly enhance community vaccine confidence.
METHODS:
A qualitative, anonymous survey was conducted among healthy adolescent participants aged 14–17 years taking part in a TB vaccine trial. Data were collected at two time points: baseline (pre-screening) and one-month post-baseline. The surveys evaluated motivations for participation, perceptions of the research process, and changes in self-image during the trial.
RESULTS:
Twenty-three adolescents (78.3% female) answered the baseline survey, and 18 out of 19 enrolled adolescents (66.7% female) completed the one-month follow-up. Initially, participants were motivated by personal health benefits, including free medical check-ups (39.1%) and increased knowledge of their bodies (82.6%). Notably, 91.3% believed TB vaccine research would provide a sense of purpose and self-worth. After one month, participants reported feeling empowered, with 44% believing they were making a difference and 28% feeling their voices were heard. On the question of whether their self-image had changed since joining the research, 88.9% concurred, with 44.4% describing themselves as "heroes" or "a big deal" due to their contribution to global health research.
CONCLUSIONS:
Involving adolescent participants in tuberculosis vaccine trials fosters a profound sense of self-worth and agency, at a life-stage often characterised by self-doubt. Empowering youth to view their participation as a pivotal voice in shaping the future of global health, strengthens the personal and community trust essential for vaccine confidence. Recognising these altruistic and psychosocial motivators is key to improving vaccine trial retention and long-term vaccine advocacy.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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