Willingness to Participate in Vaccine-Related Clinical Trials among Older Adults

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Divyanshu Raheja, Emory University; Evelyn P. Davila, Emory University; Eric T. Johnson, Emory University; Rijalda Deovic, Emory University; Michele Paine, Emory University; Nadine Rouphael, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-08-01
• Publisher: MDPI
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15081743
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 8
• Grant/Funding Information: This research received no external funding. Nadine Rouphael provided funds from her discretionary account.
• Keywords: RECRUITMENT; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; elderly; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Environmental Sciences; recruitment; Science & Technology; SELF-MANAGEMENT; Environmental Sciences & Ecology; vaccine clinical trials; RACE; CANCER; BARRIERS; AGE; POPULATION; willingness to participate; ENROLLMENT
• Research Categories: Biology, Ecology; Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand among a convenience sample of 400 adults aged 60 years of age or older (1) reasons for being willing or unwilling to participate in a vaccine clinical research study and (2) overall perceptions about vaccine clinical research. A cross-sectional study using a sample of older adults residing in the metro-Atlanta area and surrounding neighborhoods was conducted. The study questionnaire contained 37 questions, including questions about socio-demographics and perceptions about clinical trial processes. Statistical analysis was conducted using logistic regression. The adjusted modeling results indicated that sex, distance to research clinic, and being informed about the research findings played a role in the likelihood of an elderly person participating in a vaccine study. Males were more likely to participate in clinical trials as compared to females (OR: 2.486; CI: 1.042–5.934). Most participants were willing to travel up to 25 miles from the research clinic. Of the respondents, 45% were unlikely to participate if the results of the current trial are not shared. Improving access to clinical trials in terms of distance traveled and ensuring streamlined processes to inform participants about the results of the trial in the future would increase willingness to participate in vaccine clinical trials. The survey could serve as a useful tool for conducting vaccine studies and other clinical trials by understanding the barriers specific to the elderly.