A replication study of racial differences in perceptions of voluntariness of medical research participants.

Abstract

Oppression of Black people in South Africa created inequalities that rendered Black South Africans vulnerable. Many participants from disadvantaged backgrounds in South Africa are likely to participate in medical studies primarily to earn financial and/or medical incentives. This raises concerns about the voluntariness of research in South Africa and racial perceptions of voluntariness of medical research, given the mistrust created by previous racial oppression.This study aimed to assess racial differences in public perceptions of the voluntariness of medical research participants. The sample size was 120 and consisted of 46 Black, 39 Indian, and 35 White participants. A questionnaire was used to obtain respondents’ opinions. Results showed that there were no significant differences in racial perceptions of voluntariness. However, Black people were less willing to volunteer themselves for future medical research compared to White and Indian respondents. Results also showed that participants’ level of education, knowledge of medical research procedures, and close or personal experience of medical research were not predictors of perceptions of voluntariness.