Parental Perceptions About Informed Consent/Assent in Pediatric Research in Jordan

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Research Ethics
• Bioethics
• Child Protection in Research

Background:

• Informed consent and assent are crucial for protecting children in research.
• Understanding parental perceptions is key to improving ethical practices.
• Pediatric research in Jordan requires culturally specific ethical considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore parental perceptions of informed consent/assent in pediatric research in Jordan.
• To identify areas of understanding and misconception regarding consent and assent processes.
• To inform the development of culturally sensitive research guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Focus group interviews were conducted with parents in Jordan.
• Thematic content analysis was used for interview transcription and translation.
• Key themes explored included the importance of consent/assent, information quality, and perceptions of written/verbal consent.

Main Results:

• Most parents demonstrated an ethically acceptable understanding of consent/assent principles.
• Some parents held views inconsistent with ethical research conduct, such as believing consent is unnecessary for questionnaires.
• Discrepancies were observed regarding the appropriate age for child assent, with some parents indicating coercion.

Conclusions:

• While many parents grasp core ethical principles, specific misconceptions necessitate targeted education.
• There is a clear need for developing Jordanian-specific, culturally sensitive pediatric research guidelines.
• Addressing these perceptions is vital for upholding child welfare and research integrity in Jordan.