title: Understanding of research, genetics and genetic research in a rapid ethical assessment in north west Cameroon.
abstract: There is limited assessment of whether research participants in low-income settings are afforded a full understanding of the meaning of medical research. There may also be particular issues with the understanding of genetic research. We used a rapid ethical assessment methodology to explore perceptions surrounding the meaning of research, genetics and genetic research in north west Cameroon.
  
  
  
  Eleven focus group discussions (including 107 adults) and 72 in-depth interviews were conducted with various stakeholders in two health districts in north west Cameroon between February and April 2012.
  
  
  
  Most participants appreciated the role of research in generating knowledge and identified a difference between research and healthcare but gave varied explanations as to this difference. Most participants' understanding of genetics was limited to concepts of hereditary, with potential benefits limited to the level of the individual or family. Explanations based on supernatural beliefs were identified as a special issue but participants tended not to identify any other special risks with genetic research.
  
  
  
  We demonstrated a variable level of understanding of research, genetics and genetic research, with implications for those carrying out genetic research in this and other low resource settings. Our study highlights the utility of rapid ethical assessment prior to complex or sensitive research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment, PO Box 474, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Jonas A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kengne-Ouafo
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer Campus, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK drjimmymillard@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Millard
authors.affiliation: Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment, PO Box 474, Buea, Cameroon Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Theobald M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Nji
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Tantoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Doris N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Nyoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment, PO Box 474, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tendongfor
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment, PO Box 474, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Enyong
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer Campus, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK.
authors.forename: Melanie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Newport
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer Campus, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK.
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment, PO Box 474, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wanji
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002163:Cameroon; D032984:Ethics, Research; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D036281:Genetic Research; D005823:Genetics; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012106:Research; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cameroon; Elephantiasis; Podoconiosis; Rapid ethical assessment