HIV-infected adults from minority ethnic groups are willing to participate in research if asked.
HIV-infected ethnic minorities are underrepresented in HIV research. We sought to better understand the reasons for the low participation rates. An anonymous 1-page survey was administered to HIV-infected patients attending primary care clinics at the CORE Center in Chicago during 8 weeks in 2007. Four hundred seventeen HIV-infected patients (mean age, 43 years; 60% male, 65% African American, 21% Hispanic) completed the survey. Forty percent had previously participated in research but only 29% had ever been asked by their primary care provider (PCP) to participate. The strongest predictor of participation was being asked (RR 3.0; p < 0.001). The majority of patients would agree (65%) or consider (30%) participating in a study if recommended by their PCP. Being treated like a "guinea pig" was the most common (40%) concern of patients. However, despite this concern, patients would still agree to participate if recommended by their PCP. In our urban cohort of HIV-infected patients, the majority were willing to participate in HIV research studies if asked, highlighting the important role of primary providers in improving research participation.
Rush University Medical Center , Chicago, IL 60612, USA. oluwatoyin_adeyemi@rush.edu
Oluwatoyin Falusi
OF
Adeyemi
Arthur T
AT
Evans
Mieoak
M
Bahk
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D035843:Biomedical Research; D002641:Chicago; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D010358:Patient Participation