title: Use of partial least squares path modelling to assess the willingness of Chinese female sex workers to participate in a microbicide trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the willingness of Chinese female sex workers (FSWs) to participate (WTP) in a clinical trial of microbicides; to explore the potential hindrances and facilitating factors; and to provide support for future microbicide clinical trials by tailoring their design to better meet the specific needs of FSWs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 404 FSWs were investigated using structured questionnaires. Exploratory factor analysis and partial least squares path modelling were used to explore the correlations between several influencing factors and WTP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The WTP of FSWs enrolled in this study was high (53.47%, 216/404). Possible benefits from enrolment in the trial were positively associated with WTP, while concern about a hypothetical microbicide, potential physical harm, economic loss from participation, and fear of family or social isolation were negatively associated with WTP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FSWs are appropriate participants in microbicide clinical trials, and are likely to benefit from effective microbicides. In a microbicide clinical trial, it is imperative to ensure protection of the rights, dignity, safety, confidentiality and welfare of FSW participants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China; Chongqing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, PR China.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China. Electronic address: kingzeng1@126.com.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
authors.forename: N X
authors.initials: NX
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, and National Centre for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: D X
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases of Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, and National Centre for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, and National Centre for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Ruan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002681:China; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: China; Clinical trial; Exploratory factor analysis; Microbicide; Partial least squares path modelling