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.
Adeyemi
Oluwatoyin Falusi
OF
Rush University Medical Center , Chicago, IL 60612, USA. oluwatoyin_adeyemi@rush.edu
Evans
Arthur T
AT
Bahk
Mieoak
M
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