Abstract B15: Measuring medical mistrust at Dia de la Mujer Latina health fiestas

Abstract

Abstract Mistrust of research and the medical system is a frequent barrier to participation in clinical trials. However, there is a paucity of data on how medical mistrust serves as a barrier to participation in clinical research among Latinas from various Latin American ethnic groups. Culturally, Latina women are the key decision makers when it comes to healthcare. Therefore, this study focused on Latinas who attended three Dia de la Mujer Latina (DML) health fiestas. Methods: Promotoras de Salud (community health workers) were trained to present a bilingual Medical Abuse and Medical Mistrust Awareness Survey (MAMMAS©), culturally translated, to Latinas from 18 years of age and older at 3 DML Health Fiestas events (Puerto Rico, Houston,Texas and Miami, Florida). MAMMAS© is innovative because it breaks down their perception of the medical institutions as well as their knowledge of clinical research, the HPV vaccine and the well-documented medical abuse historical cases. Questions captured demographics, insurance coverage, assimilation, acculturation, knowledge of preventive screenings for breast and cervical cancer, understanding and perception of clinical trials, awareness of historical medical abuse, mistrust of medical providers, their insights about barriers to obtaining these cancer screenings; and if the barrier of mistrust would hinder them from participating in a clinical research or clinical trial. Conclusions: The results of the MAMMAS survey will emphasize the need for more research on this topic. There were a total of 357 participants who completed the survey, however, there were 527 who began the process but did not complete due to their confusion with the response scale. 201 Survey respondents were conscious of the importance of cancer screening, but expressed fear as a major barrier. 294 Survey respondents believed that mistrust plays a key role in their participation into clinical trials. 253 Survey respondents felt that patients may have been deceived or misled by healthcare organizations 204 Survey respondents stated that mistakes are usually covered up by healthcare organizations. 227 Survey respondents believed that healthcare organization have experimented on patients w/o their knowledge. 269 Survey respondents were aware of some form of medical abuse that occurred. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B15.