Balancing altruism, risk and ethics: Vietnamese students’ views on human challenge studies

@article{phuong2026balancing,
  title = {{Balancing altruism, risk and ethics: Vietnamese students’ views on human challenge studies}},
  author = {Chi Le Phuong and Chambrez Zita Zauchenberger and Vy Pham-Tram and Hong Huynh Thuy Phuong and Dong Thi Hoai Tam and Nguyen Minh Nguyet and Trung Dinh The and Thuy Nguyen Thi Van and Hang Nguyen Thi Thu and Thuan Hoang Van and Kien Vu Duy and Hung Vu Bao and Dung Do Van and Tuan Tran Diep and Bridget Wills and Jennifer Ilo Van Nuil and Evelyne Kestelyn},
  journal = {PLOS One},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0347941},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0347941},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Balancing altruism, risk and ethics: Vietnamese students’ views on human challenge studies
AU  - Chi Le Phuong
AU  - Chambrez Zita Zauchenberger
AU  - Vy Pham-Tram
AU  - Hong Huynh Thuy Phuong
AU  - Dong Thi Hoai Tam
AU  - Nguyen Minh Nguyet
AU  - Trung Dinh The
AU  - Thuy Nguyen Thi Van
AU  - Hang Nguyen Thi Thu
AU  - Thuan Hoang Van
AU  - Kien Vu Duy
AU  - Hung Vu Bao
AU  - Dung Do Van
AU  - Tuan Tran Diep
AU  - Bridget Wills
AU  - Jennifer Ilo Van Nuil
AU  - Evelyne Kestelyn
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/18
JO  - PLOS One
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pone.0347941
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0347941
AB  - Introduction: Human challenge studies (HCS) have been proposed to accelerate the development of health interventions and strengthen research capacity in low- and middle-income countries. However, implementation in settings such as Vietnam, where clinical care facilities and research capacity are limited and no specific regulatory framework for HCS exists, raises special ethical, social, and practical concerns. This study examined healthcare professional students’ perceptions of and attitudes toward HCS, focusing on ethical considerations and factors associated with willingness to participate. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted as part of a longitudinal project, named SEED (2020–2024) among students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Quantitative data was collected using a structured survey administered after engagement activities on HCS (n = 242). Qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions (n = 54) and in-depth interviews (n = 14). Findings were integrated using an explanatory mixed-methods approach. Results: Participants reported moderate familiarity with HCS and expressed cautious support. Acceptability of HCS was lower than that of clinical trials or observational studies, reflecting concerns related to intentional infection. Motivations for participation included altruism, perceived social value, and potential national benefits, particularly for endemic diseases. Willingness to participate was positively associated with assurances of participant safety, access to rescue treatment, long-term compensation for research-related harm, transparent informed consent processes, and trust in research institutions and regulatory oversight. Concerns about potential health risks, psychological burden, time commitment, fairness of compensation, stigma, and family influence were significantly highlighted. Conclusion: Medical and public health students in Vietnam expressed conditional support for HCS, while balancing perceived benefits against ethical and practical concerns. Establishing clear governance mechanisms, risk mitigation strategies, and appropriate compensation frameworks will be critical for ensuring the ethical conduct and acceptability of HCS in similar settings.
SN  - 1932-6203
ER  -