Latino beliefs about biomedical research participation: a qualitative study on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Latinos are under-represented in biomedical research conducted in the United States, impeding disease prevention and treatment efforts for this growing demographic group. We gathered perceptions of biomedical research and gauged willingness to participate through elicitation interviews and focus groups with Latinos living on the U.S.-Mexico border. Themes that emerged included a strong willingness to participate in biomedical studies and suggested that Latinos may be under-represented due to limited formal education and access to health information, not distrust. The conflation of research and clinical care was common and motivated participation. Outreach efforts and educational interventions to inform Latinos of participation opportunities and clarify harms and benefits associated with biomedical research participation will be essential to maintain trust within Latino communities.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA University of Washington, Seattle, USA rceballo@fhcrc.org.
Rachel M
RM
Ceballos
University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Sarah
S
Knerr
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, USA.
Mary Alice
MA
Scott
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
Sarah D
SD
Hohl
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
Rachel C
RC
Malen
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, USA.
Hugo
H
Vilchis
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Beti
B
Thompson
D000328:Adult; D035843:Biomedical Research; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D035842:Research Subjects; D035502:Trust; D014481:United States
Latino; biomedical research; community perceptions; ethnicity; qualitative; recruitment; therapeutic misconception