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Assessing attitudes towards pediatric research participation across diverse populations: Psychometric properties of a
Megan M Hare1, Courtney S Walker2, Dustin E Sarver2
1Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
Insights
The Pediatric Research Participation Questionnaire (PRPQ) shows different factor structures in rural versus urban children, impacting clinical trial recruitment. Understanding these differences is key to improving pediatric research participation for all children.
Area of Science:
- Clinical research
- Pediatric health outcomes
- Health equity
Background:
- Clinical trials are vital for medical advancement but lack representation from marginalized groups.
- The Pediatric Research Participation Questionnaire (PRPQ) assesses participation barriers/benefits in pediatric trials.
- Limited data exists on the PRPQ's structure in general pediatric populations, especially concerning rural-urban differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the factor structure of the PRPQ in a general pediatric population.
- To investigate potential rural-urban differences in the PRPQ factor structure.
Main Methods:
- Caregivers of 600 children (300 rural, 300 urban) completed the PRPQ in a Mississippi population-based survey.
- Stratified sampling ensured equal rural and urban representation.
- Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the PRPQ's factor structure.
Main Results:
- A five-factor structure was identified: social pressure, direct benefit, reasons for participation, mistrust in research/researchers, and reasons against participation.
- Urban participants showed a similar five-factor structure.
- Rural participants exhibited a distinct three-factor structure.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight variations in factors influencing pediatric research participation based on geographic location (rural vs. urban).
- Clinical researchers should consider tailored recruitment strategies for rural pediatric populations.
- Understanding these nuances is crucial for enhancing clinical trial participation among underrepresented communities.
Background:
Clinical trials play a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and improving health outcomes. However, there is a recognized need for greater representation of marginalized groups to ensure that research findings can be generalized and effectively applied to all individuals. While the Pediatric Research Participation Questionnaire (PRPQ) was developed to assist pediatric clinical trials research by identifying benefits and barriers to research participation among children with chronic medical conditions, there is still limited insight into the structure of the PRPQ when administered in diverse samples, including the general pediatric population. Therefore, the current study examined the factor structure of the PRPQ in a general pediatric population to investigate whether rural-urban differences exist in the PRPQ factor structure.
Methods:
Caregivers (N = 600) of children under age 18 completed the PRPQ in a population-based survey in Mississippi. Sampling was stratified to ensure equal representation in rural (n = 300) and urban areas (n = 300). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the factor structure of the PRPQ.
Results:
A five-factor structure was identified, compromising: social pressure, direct benefit, reasons for participation, mistrust in research/researchers, reasons against participation. While results were similar among urban participants, a three-factor structure emerged for rural participants.
Conclusions:
This study contributes to the broader understanding of research participation among underrepresented groups. The findings suggest that clinical researchers should consider tailoring recruitment strategies to increase clinical trial participation among children in rural areas. Understanding factors that influence pediatric research participation, particularly among marginalized communities, is crucial for developing effective recruitment and retention strategies.
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