Factors Influencing Public Knowledge and Willingness to Participate in Biomedical Research in Jordan: A National Survey

Rana Abu Farha,1 Karem H Alzoubi,2 Omar F Khabour,3 Tareq L Mukattash2 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, JordanCorrespondence: Rana Abu FarhaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, JordanTel +962 6-560-9957 ext 1496Fax +962 5232899Email abufarharana@yahoo.comPurpose: Recruitment of adequate numbers of research participants is important for advancement in biomedical fields. Awareness and knowledge of the population about biomedical research are expected to enhance willingness to participate in such research. Therefore, in the current study, participants’ awareness, knowledge, and willingness to participate in scientific research in Jordan were examined.Methods: This was a survey-based, cross-sectional study conducted from December 2019 to February 2020 among the public in Jordan. After written informed consent had been obtained from study participants, a structured questionnaire was used to survey research participants. The final questionnaire contained three parts: part I was about demographics and general information, part II assessed participants’ awareness and willingness to participate in biomedical research, and part III assessed participants’ knowledge about biomedical research studies.Results: A total of 2,000 subjects agreed to participate, of which 67.4% were female (n=1339). More than half the respondents were aware of biomedical research (58.6%), of which 18.1% had previously participated in biomedical research. In addition, 55.5% reported that they were willing to participate in biomedical research