Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Raymond Panas

Abstract

Global rate of participation in clinical trials is especially low among African Americans in the United States due to social factors identified by research, which adversely impact this group's willingness to participate in clinical trials. The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative study was to evaluate the role of social influence in the decision-making patterns of African Americans as it relates to clinical trial participation. The theory of planned behavior was used as the theoretical framework to understand an individual's interaction with social factors and how it affects their willingness to participate in clinical trials. The participants in the study were 115 African Americans residing in a greater metropolitan area of Ohio. Data were collected using 1-time questionnaire administered by paper instrument. Regression and correlation analyses were conducted for all 115 collected survey responses. Results of the analyses were statistically significant in proving that social influence is a good predictor of willingness to participate in clinical trials where the research involves minimal risk to the participants (p = 0.047). The results also showed that attitudes and beliefs about clinical trials are good predictors of willingness to participate in clinical trials among African Americans (p = 0.000). The results of this study offer new insight for the development of patient recruitment initiatives within the African American community in the United States and create a path to the development of viable and sustainable intervention.

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