A survey of knowledge regarding pediatric clinical trial among children at 8-18 years of age / 中华儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To investigate the knowledge regarding clinical research among children at 8-18 years of age. The survey results will form the basis for developing public education program for this population.@*Methods@#The survey was conducted among children at 8-18 years of age using WeChat and spot investigation between January 2016 and January 2017. According to different developmental stages, the survey population was divided into four groups age 8-10, 11-13, 14-15 and 16-18 years. The level of knowledge regarding clinical research was analyzed.@*Results@#Totally 1 329 questionnaires were issued and 1 233 effective questionnaires were returned with a recovery rate of 92.8%. The overall awareness rate regarding clinical research was 32.8% (405/1 233) . It revealed that 282 (22.9%) individuals thought that clinical research was to treat people like experimental rats. When asked "who have the final decision on research participation", the percentages of those who chose oneself, parents or guardian and doctor were 44.6% (550/1 233), 74.2% (915/1 233) and 36.8% (454/1 233) respectively. When asked "If you want to participate a study, but your parents or guardian do not agree, what would you do?", 33.9% (418/1 233) of individuals will "give up". As to "If you do not want to participate a study, but your parents or guardian think you should, what would you do?", 51.3% (632/1 233) chose "listen to parents" and 28.8% (355/1 233) chose "refuse the suggestions of parents or guardian". As to "what are your greatest concerns of participating an investigation?" , 68.1% (840/1 233) chose "worry about added pain or discomfort". but 58.0% (715/1 233) thought if "doctors and nurses take good care of me" their "concerns will reduce" or "feel better to participate in the research?". 55.6% (686/1 233) and 49.3% (608/1 233) individuals responded that they will "participate in an research?" when they "know that other people also participate the research" and when they "know the details regarding what will happen after the enrollment".@*Conclusions@#The knowledge level of clinical research among children aged 8-18 years were not high. It is very necessary to promote the public education of clinical research for this population and also very necessary to address their concern regarding the research.