Latinos' willingness to participate in research: A national random survey

Racial/ethnic minority populations are underrepresented in public health and clinical trials research. According to the NIH, “The recruitment and retention of racial/ethnic minorities into clinical trials is a leading challenge confronting clinical researchers and undoubtedly contributes to the persistence of health disparities.” This study focuses on understanding the barriers and facilitators associated with willingness to participate in research. We conducted a random household telephone survey with Latino adults (N=1,264), which 69% self identified as Mexican/Mexican American and the remaining 31% were listed as “Other” category. The “Building Trust Survey,” included valid standardized instruments designed to assess knowledge of research, human subjects' protections, previous participation in research, previous experiences with health care delivery, social support, religiousness, and trust. Preliminary analysis shows that Mexican/Mexican Americans were less likely to have a college education and health insurance compared to “Other” Latino groups (p<.005). Mexican/Mexican Americans also were less likely to have been “Asked” to participate in research compared to “Other” Latino groups (13% vs 21%: p<.001). However, Mexican/Mexican Americans are more likely to participate in future research than “Other” Latino groups (p<.003). Additional analyses are underway, and will include examining nativity and length of stay in the US by willingness to participate in research. We will also examine the heterogeneity of the “Other” Latino groups and their respective association with barriers and facilitators of willingness to participate in research. Findings from this study will inform the design of culturally-tailored interventions to successfully recruit and retain minorities into public health and clinical trials research.