ABSTRACT
Factors affecting parents' decision to involve their children in clinical research have not been studied in all cultural backgrounds. We aimed to explore the attitudes and beliefs influencing parents' decision to involve their children in clinical research in Mansoura, Egypt. Of 523 families approached, 357 filled the questionnaire. Only 98 [27.5%] parents consented to involve their child in clinical research. The children of consenters were significantly older than refusers: 8.6 [SD 7.2] versus 2.6 [SD 1.2] years. Factors favouring consent were: research of benefit to child [84.7%], enough explanation about the benefits [40.8%] and to learn more about child's condition [29.6%]. Factors favouring refusal were: use of new drugs or vaccines [89.6%] and invasive procedures [84.2%]. Parents' rate of consent was positively correlated with the research being non-invasive and the belief that research was of benefit to their child and negatively correlated with belief that refusal may negatively affect the care provided to their child
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Research , Ethics, Research , ChildABSTRACT
This study evaluated peripheral eosinophil and serum eosinophilic cationic protein [s-ECP] levels as markers of asthma control. A total of 38 children with asthma [16 controlled and 22 partially controlled] were compared with 16 age- and sex-matched healthy children. Total asthma cases had higher eosinophil counts and s-ECP levels than healthy children and partially controlled asthmatics had significantly higher levels of both markers than controlled asthmatics. Controlled asthma cases showed non-significant changes in both parameters versus healthy children. A negative correlation was noted between degree of asthma control and both eosinophil counts and s-ECP levels [r = -0.60 and -0.75 respectively]. s-ECP as well as peripheral eosinophil count may be helpful in the assessment of asthma control