scholarly journals Capacity of community advisory boards for effective engagement in clinical research: a mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Levicatus Mugenyi ◽  
Andrew Mijumbi ◽  
Mastula Nanfuka ◽  
Collins Agaba ◽  
Fedress Kaliba ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Community engagement is a key component in health research. One of the ways health researchers ensure community engagement is through Community Advisory Boards (CABs). The capacity of CABs to properly perform their role in clinical research has not been well described in many resource limited settings. In this study, we assessed the capacity of CABs for effective community engagement in Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross sectional study with mixed methods. We used structured questionnaires and key informant interviews (KII) to collect data from CAB members, trial investigators, and community liaison officers. For quantitative data, we used descriptive statistics while for qualitative data we used content analysis. Results Seventy three CAB members were interviewed using structured questionnaires; 58.9% males, median age 49 years (IQR 24–70), 71.2% had attained tertiary education, 42.5% never attended any research ethics training, only 26% had a training in human subject protection, 30.1% had training in health research, 50.7% never attended any training about the role of CABs, and 72.6% had no guidelines for their operation. On the qualitative aspect, 24 KIIs cited CAB members to have some skills and ability to understand and review study documents, offer guidance on community norms and expectations and give valuable feedback to the investigators. However, challenges like limited resources, lack of independence and guidelines, and knowledge gaps about research ethics were cited as hindrances of CABs capacity. Conclusion Though CABs have some capacity to perform their role in the Ugandan setting, their functionality is limited by lack of resources to facilitate their work, lack of independence, lack of guidelines for their operations and limited knowledge regarding issues of research ethics and protection of the rights of trial participants.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levicatus Mugenyi ◽  
Andrew Mijumbi ◽  
Mastula Nanfuka ◽  
Collins Agaba ◽  
Fedress Kaliba ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Community engagement is a key component in health research. One of the ways health researchers ensure community engagement is through Community Advisory Boards (CABs). The capacity of CABs to properly perform their role in clinical research has not been well described in many resource limited settings. In this study, we assessed the capacity of CABs for effective community engagement in Uganda.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study with mixed methods. We used structured questionnaires and key informant interviews (KII) to collect data from CAB members, trial investigators, and community liaison officers. For quantitative data, we used descriptive statistics while for qualitative data we used content analysis. Results: Seventy three CAB members were interviewed using structured questionnaires; 58.9% males, median age 49 years (IQR: 24-70), 71.2% had attained tertiary education, 42.5% never attended any research ethics training, only 26% had a training in human subject protection, 30.1% had training in health research, 50.7% never attended any training about the role of CABs, and 72.6% had no guidelines for their operation. On the qualitative aspect, 24 KIIs cited CAB members to have some skills and ability to understand and review study documents, offer guidance on community norms and expectations and give valuable feedback to the investigators. However, challenges like limited resources, lack of independence and guidelines, and knowledge gaps about research ethics were cited as hindrances of CABs capacity.Conclusion: Though CABs have some capacity to perform their role in the Ugandan setting, their functionality is limited by lack of resources to facilitate their work, independence, guidelines for their operations and limited knowledge.


Author(s):  
Divyanshu Raheja ◽  
Evelyn Davila ◽  
Eric Johnson ◽  
Rijalda Deović ◽  
Michele Paine ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Anu Olowookere ◽  
Adegboyega Adeleke Abiodun ◽  
Joseph Gbenga Omole ◽  
Akinwumi Oluwole Komolafe ◽  
Akintunde Julius Olowookere ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Postmortem examination is necessary to diagnose the cause of sudden death, and family caregivers are expected to consent to this examination. This study assessed knowledge, attitude, practices and willingness of family caregivers to consent to postmortem examination of their relative if they die suddenly in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study of family caregivers of our patients that completed an interviewer administered semistructured questionnaire assessing their knowledge, attitude, practices and willingness to consent to postmortem examination of their relative if they die suddenly. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.RESULTS: A total of 224 caregivers were interviewed. The mean age (SD) was 34.95 (11.74), ranging 22-75 years. They were parents (32.6%), siblings (37.9%), spouses (11.2%) and other relatives (18.3%). Only 17% had adequate knowledge, 44.6% positive attitude and 11.2% good practices to postmortem examination of sudden death. The majority (75.9%) would consent to postmortem examination of their relatives if they die suddenly. Sociodemographic variables associated with willingness to consent to postmortem examination after relative’s sudden death include being male (AOR 3.61; 95%CI 3.09-8.92; p=0.001), having tertiary education (AOR 4.83; 95%CI 1.01-8.29; p=0.034), Christianity (AOR 2.59; 95%CI 1.25-5.35; p=0.010) and skilled worker (AOR 1.43; 95%CI 1.33-3.80; p=0.020).CONCLUSION: Some family caregivers would not consent to postmortem examination of their relatives when they die suddenly. Sensitization programs targeting family caregivers are necessary to increase knowledge and enhance prevention of sudden death as well as improve willingness to consent to postmortem examination when their relatives die suddenly.


Author(s):  
Oluwaseun Oladapo Akinyemi ◽  
Babatunde Ayeni ◽  
Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi ◽  
Oluwatomi Owopetu

Objective: The management of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is long-term and can be expensive. This study aimed to describe access to anti-diabetic medicines among patients in tertiary health care facilities in Oyo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. The study sites were the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho. It was conducted among 366 diabetic patients who had been attending the endocrinology clinic of these two tertiary health institutions for at least one year. Data analysis was done with the Statistical Program for Social Sciences. Results: Female participants were 186 (50.8%) and 298 (85.6%) depended on close relatives to purchase their drugs. Those who had difficulties affording their anti-diabetic medications were 142 (38.8%) and 80 (56.3%) preferred buying a cheaper brand of anti-diabetic medication. Also, 136 (37.2%) respondents had missed their required drugs at some point due to insufficient funds. Males who were able to afford their anti-diabetic medication were 96 (53.3%) compared to 128 (68.8%) females (P-value= 0.002). Those with no formal education had the highest proportion of respondents who could not easily afford anti-diabetic drugs (60.9%), those with tertiary education had the highest proportion of respondents who could afford their medication (77.5%), (P-value=< 0.001). Among those in the 61-70 years age group, 78 (66.1%) achieved glycaemic control compared to 34 (42.5%) of those above 70 years (P-value=< 0.001). Conclusion: To improve affordability, subsidizing the cost of anti-diabetic medications and encouraging patients to enrol in the Health Insurance Scheme will be beneficial.


Author(s):  
Olanrewaju D. Eniade ◽  
Dolapo E. Agbana ◽  
Bridget O. Afam

Introduction: To assess knowledge, attitude and prevention practice of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Southwest, Nigeria. This was an online cross-sectional study among dwellers of southwest Nigeria. Methods: Data were collected online with kobo toolbox and analyzed using the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, 2018) and the descriptive statistics, test of independence and binary logistic regression were presented. Results: Of the 286 study participants, 96.1% had good knowledge, 99.3% had positive attitude towards control of COVID-19, while 77.3% had good practices for prevention of the virus. Majority of the participants (86.9%) had tertiary education, 11.3% were 40 years or older. Age and education were independently associated with COVID-19 prevention practice. After adjustment for some selected socio-demographic factors, only age of 10 – 19 years (OR: 3.83, CI: 1.05, 14), age 20-29 years (OR: 2.99, CI: 1.18 -7.55), and 30 -39 years (OR: 4.35, CI: 1.49-12.67) were more likely to have good practice of COVID-19 prevention compared to age >=40 years. Conclusion: The result revealed a high prevalence of good practices, and the majority had good knowledge of COVID-19 and positive attitude towards control of COVID-19. Age and education were identified to be associated with practice of COVID-19 prevention. Further exploration revealed that elders (>=40years) were not likely to have good practice of COVID-19 prevention. We deduced that good practice of COVID-19 prevention was high in southwest Nigeria but notably low among elders and those who attained below tertiary education in southwest Nigeria. However, people of older age and poor education should be given much attention for proper enlightening and prevention strategies in this pandemic.


2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget Pratt ◽  
Khin Maung Lwin ◽  
Deborah Zion ◽  
Francois Nosten ◽  
Bebe Loff ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Fatima Aslam ◽  
Karimah Hanim Abd Aziz ◽  
Nurjasmine Aida Jamani ◽  
Razman Mohd Rus

Introduction: Co-morbidities such as obesity, gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension during pregnancy can be dangerous to the mother and foetus. Regular physical activity during pregnancy not only maintains maternal and foetal wellbeing, but it also maintains physical fitness and brings various health benefits. However, many women reduce their physical activity levels during pregnancy.Objectives: Thus, this study aimed to identify the barriers that could prevent pregnant mothers from doing physical activities.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 168 pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years between gestational age 12 to 35 weeks in a primary health clinic in Kuantan, Pahang. Their socio-demographic characteristics were recorded, and barriers for physical activity assessed through a set of pre-tested questionnaire.Descriptive statisticswere used to describe the sociodemographiccharacteristics and the barriers.Results: The mean (SD) age was 28.0 (3.6) and majority of them were of Malay ethnicity from B40 group. Two thirds (74.4%) had tertiary education and 66.7% were working mothers. More than half (53.0%) of the participants wereoverweight and obese.Moreover, 58% of the participants had leg cramp and 63.1% felt fatigue. Almost 80.4% had backache and 46.4% had epigastric discomfort.Conclusion: Barriers such as leg cramp, backache, fatigue and epigastric discomfort could prevent pregnant women from conducting physical activities. Opportunistic recommendation by physician and concerns on the physical activity should be addressed.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2021 Page: S23


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
PRISCILLAH wanini EDEMBA ◽  
Grace Irimu ◽  
RACHEL MUSOKE

Abstract Background: Many studies show that working mothers are unable to exclusively breastfeed successfully. Expression and storage of breastmilk is a strategy that ensures continued breastmilk consumption in the event of temporary separation of an infant from the mother. The 2017 Kenyan Health Act mandates employers to provide lactation rooms with guidance for appropriate utilization.Methodology: The study objective was to assess knowledge attitude and practice of breastmilk expression and storage among working women with infants below six months of age in Public Well Baby Clinics. This was a cross sectional study among 395 working women attending two large public hospitals in Nairobi Kenya. A structured questionnaire with open and closed ended questions was used to establish the knowledge and practice while a Likert scale was used to explore attitudes of the mothers towards expression and storage of breast milk. Results: Only 161(41%) were expressing breast milk. Those with tertiary education and those working in the public sector had significantly higher odds of having satisfactory knowledge OR4.47(95%CI 2.01-11.07) and OR2.26(95%CI 1.33-3.85) respectively. Attaining tertiary education was significantly associated with a possibility of expressing and storing breastmilk OR3.6(95% CI 1.81-7.95). The workplace did not provide adequate equipment to facilitate breastmilk expression. Challenges experienced were breast pain and cumbersome nature of expressing milk.Conclusion: The study revealed knowledge gaps in expression and storage of breastmilk that need to be addressed to enable the mothers fully utilize the lactation rooms when they become available at the workplace.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Shazma Khan ◽  
Joel Y. J. Foo ◽  
Nicole S. Y. Chia ◽  
Sherwin J. U. Agustin ◽  
Shermyn X. M. Neo ◽  
...  

Objective. The success of clinical research and tissue donation programs are highly dependent on recruitment of willing volunteers. A comprehensive survey of patient preferences and attitudes can help identify and address barriers hindering the recruitment for research. Method. This is a cross-sectional study on 105 Parkinson’s disease patients who completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results. Out of 105 respondents, 48% of patients had either already participated in clinical research or were keen to participate. About 80% believed clinical research to be safe for their health and privacy. More than 70% of participants were willing to donate blood, urine, or stool, while 16% were agreeable for cerebrospinal fluid sample donation. Motivating factors for clinical research included altruism (64%) and contribution to advance medical knowledge (64%). Common reasons for unwillingness towards clinical research included the risks involved (43%), time constraints (33%), and mobility challenges (24%). Conclusion. The attitude of Singaporean Parkinson patients toward clinical research and tissue donation is encouraging with about half of the participants willing to support clinical research. Three-quarters of patients would support tissue donations. Participation in research may be further increased with greater patient and public education to overcome misconceptions and also by limiting the demands of studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju Shao ◽  
Shao-Song Zhou ◽  
Yuan Qu ◽  
Bi-Bo Liang ◽  
Qing-Hong Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Bone turnover and metabolic indicators are related to age and gender. Age and gender should be matched in subjects in disease control research of bone turnover and metabolism, but strict matching of gender and age increases the difficulty and cost of the research. Therefore, the aim of this study was to solve it is necessary to strictly match age and gender in clinical research in bone metabolism. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from the data were extracted from the HIS of ZhuJiang Hospital. Data relating to seven bone turnover and metabolic indicators from 1036 patients between January 2018 and October 2019 were analyzed. Results P1NP, β-CTx and 25(OH)D were significant different in individuals younger than 20 years of age. ALP was significantly higher in those under 20 years of age and lower at age 20–39 compared with other age groups. The concentrations of Ca and P were different among the groups aged 0–19, 20–39, and 40–59 years of age groups but exhibited no difference above 60 years of age. PTH expression was not dependent on age. P1NP, β-CTx and PTH concentrations were not significantly different between the genders within the same age group. ALP was significantly different between genders within the age range 20–59 years. Ca and 25(OH)D were significantly different between the genders for those older than 60. Serum P was significantly different in the two genders for those aged 40–79. Patients received both alfacalcidol and calcium treatment differently from the others in P1NP, β-CTx, Serum Ca, P and ALP. Conclusion P1NP and β-CTx were highly correlated with age. If these two indictors require analysis in a case control study, the patients and controls should be strictly matched by age under 20 years. The demarcation point for ALP was 40 years of age. Ca and P were strongly recommended strict matching according to age in disease research. The difference in P1NP, β-CTx, 25(OH)D and ALP between genders depends on age differences. Medication history should be considered in bone turnover and metabolic clinical research.


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