Abstract
This cross-sectional study explores the willingness to donate biospecimens for research purposes among six refugee communities in North Texas (spanning Myanmar, Central Africa, Somalia, Nepal, Arabic speaking countries, and others). Participants were asked four questions about biospecimen donation: (1) previously asked to donate, (2) ever agreed to donate, (3) willingness to donate for future research, and (4) what samples they would be willing to donate. Most participants (77%) were willing to donate biosamples for medical research; 58% were willing to donate samples. Fewer refugees from Somalia were willing to donate compared to immigrants from Myanmar, Central Africa, and Nepal (p < 0.01). Participants in the older age group (40 + years) were 3.2 times more likely to be willing for donation of biospecimens than the younger ones (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.22, 8.55). Findings suggest refugees’ willingness to participate in biospecimen donation which support intentional inclusion of multicultural populations into medical research.
Highlights
Immigrants face disparities in early cancer identification, treatment, and death compared to the general United Statesborn population [1,2,3,4]
Are immigrants less likely to receive preventive screenings, but they may be less likely to participate in clinical trials and basic research focused on cancer prevention and treatment in minority populations
Most cancer prevention research with immigrants are focused on the behavioral, health care system, and sociocultural environment domains within the National Institute on Minority Health Disparities Research Framework, with less attention to biological vulnerability and mechanisms [8]
Summary
Immigrants face disparities in early cancer identification, treatment, and death compared to the general United Statesborn population [1,2,3,4]. Social determinants, health care utilization, and outcomes, while incorporating biomedical research, has the potential to accelerate our understanding of disease risks and processes leading to disease prevention, early detection, and improved treatment and survival [9]. Diversity in these demographic and biological parameters is essential to ensure the generalizability and validity of new findings and treatment options [10]. Some of these barriers include medical mistrust, a perceived lack of benefits, and fear of physical harm after donating biospecimen samples [15]
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