Publication
Title
Longitudinal assessment of an Ebola vaccine trial understanding among healthcare providers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Author
Abstract
Background The long-term retention of information disclosed during the informed consent in clinical trials lasting over a year cannot be guaranteed for all volunteers. This study aimed to assess the level of participants’ retention and understanding of the trial information after two years of participation in a vaccine trial. Methods In total, 699 health care providers (HCPs) and frontline workers were enrolled in the EBL2007 vaccine trial conducted between February 2019 and September 2022 in the Health District of Boende, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Individual scores obtained from a questionnaire (test of understanding, TOU), specifically designed to assess the understanding of the consent at baseline, were collected before the clinical trial started and at one-year and two-year intervals. Results TOU scores were high in the beginning of the trial (median TOU = 10/10), but significantly decreased in both the first and second years following (median TOU = 8/10 in year 1 and median TOU = 9/10 in year 2, p-value < 0.0001). The decrease in scores was significantly higher among individuals with occupations requiring shorter education such as midwives (median TOU = 7/10 in year 1 and 8/10 in year 2, pvalue = 0.025). Furthermore, older participants exhibited poorer retention of information compared to younger individuals (median TOU = 8/10 vs 9/10, p-value = 0.007). Conclusion We observed a significant decline in the informational knowledge of informed consent, specifically in terms of basic knowledge on the study vaccine and trial procedures. As participant safety and understanding is a paramount ethical concern for researchers, it is crucial for participants to fully comprehend the study's objectives and potential risks. Therefore, our findings suggest the need for clinical researchers to re-explain participants to optimize the protection of their rights and wellbeing during the research.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Vaccine / International Society for Vaccines. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2024
ISSN
0264-410X
DOI
10.1016/J.VACCINE.2023.12.076
Volume/pages
42 :3 (2024) , p. 481-488
ISI
001181462600001
Pubmed ID
38163747
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Bringing a prophylactic Ebola vaccine to licensure (EBOVAC3).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 27.03.2024
Last edited 01.07.2024
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