Improving community participation in clinical trials in Ghana; factors to consider

Mark Appeaning; Helen Owusu-Asante; Samuel Kwofie; George Arhin; Andrew Oppong Asamoah; Tawfic Ali; Reginald Roland Amponsah

doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2022.101012

Improving community participation in clinical trials in Ghana; factors to consider

Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2022 Oct 3:30:101012. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.101012. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Authors

Mark Appeaning^{1

2}, Helen Owusu-Asante^{3

4}, Samuel Kwofie⁵, George Arhin¹, Andrew Oppong Asamoah¹, Tawfic Ali¹, Reginald Roland Amponsah¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences, Koforidua Technical University, P.O. Box KF 981, 00233, Koforidua, Ghana.
² Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 25, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
³ Department of Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kumasi Technical University, P. O. Box 854, Kumasi, Ghana.
⁴ Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.
⁵ Department of Applied Statistics, Koforidua Technical University, P.O. Box KF 981, 00233, Koforidua, Ghana.

Abstract

Introduction: Clinical trials are an essential part of drug and vaccine development, as well as the development of new biomedical devices, and medical procedures. Successful enrolment of human volunteers is important to the success of any clinical trial anywhere around the globe. Enrolment is however affected by a number of factors including knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAPs). We aimed to determine factors that are deemed important in improving participation in clinical trials within a Ghanaian community.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study that employed a structured questionnaire within the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly (NJSMA). Participants who were 18 years and above were included in this study. There were a total of 639 participants in this study. Participants' demographics were collected and various questions were asked to assess their KAP towards participation in clinical trials.

Results: The mean age of participants was 29.03 ± 8.95 years, there were more males (51.96%) than females, 42.35% had tertiary education, 38.03% were artisans, 74.80% were Christians and 14.40% had previously participated in a clinical trial. Participants had average knowledge about clinical trials (CT) with a mean score of 7.56 ± 1.76 (63%). A significant association between knowledge levels and education was observed (χ2 = 100.3, p < 0.0001). Helping in advancing the medical knowledge was the key reason for participation in CT while mistrust of the medical system was the key setback in participation in CT. There was a generally positive attitude and a neutral perception towards participation in CTs.

Conclusion: Groups intending to conduct CT should highlight the benefits of CT and address the perception of mistrust in the conduct of CTs in their education and sensitization programs before initiation of CTs in Ghana.

Keywords: Clinical trials; Community participation; Ghana; NJSMA, New Juaben South Municipal Assembly; New Juaben South Municipal Assembly (NJSMA).