Background and objectives: African American participation in research trials must increase. This study evaluates factors affecting participation of African American college students in medical research.
Methods: A total of 200 students attending South Carolina State University (SCSU), a historically black college, completed surveys evaluating the likelihood of participation within 6 months in three types of noninvasive research studies (surveys with or without questions regarding sensitive information and collection of DNA with a buccal swab). Likelihood of participation by investigator's race (African American, white, Asian) or institution (SCSU, historically black college, predominantly white college, government) was compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Logistic regressions evaluating likelihood of participation included gender, Trust in Medical Researchers Scale score, prior participation, and family/friend participation.
Results: Fewer respondents would participate in a survey asking about sensitive information than would provide DNA. Respondents were more likely to participate in a study if conducted by a historically black college or African American investigator. Respondents with more trust and without prior participation were more likely to participate. Just more than half of respondents (52.0%) stated that their physician's encouragement would increase their likelihood of participation.
Conclusions: Collaboration with African American investigators, historically black colleges, and community physicians may improve African American participation. Trust in researchers and participant's past research experience should also be considered.