Access to and interest in human milk research opportunities among Black pregnant and postpartum people
BackgroundConcerns exist regarding biomedical research participation in marginalized and historically disadvantaged communities.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to understand critical barriers to participation in human milk research from the perspective of Black pregnant and postpartum people...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1274833/full |
| _version_ | 1797211812276469760 |
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| author | Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu Caryl L. Gay Brandi Gates-Burgess Gabriela Negrete |
| author_facet | Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu Caryl L. Gay Brandi Gates-Burgess Gabriela Negrete |
| author_sort | Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundConcerns exist regarding biomedical research participation in marginalized and historically disadvantaged communities.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to understand critical barriers to participation in human milk research from the perspective of Black pregnant and postpartum people.MethodsA national sample of Black pregnant and postpartum people (n = 104) was recruited to complete a cross-sectional online survey informed by the Life Course Perspective. Survey questions assessed research experiences and preferences, particularly related to human milk research, knowledge of historical events/policies targeting Black communities, and demographic characteristics. A socio-economic composite score was calculated as an indicator of socio-economic advantage. Survey data were summarized descriptively and potential correlates of research engagement were evaluated.ResultsMost (69%, n = 71) respondents reported previous participation in a research study, yet only 8 (8%) reported ever being asked to participate in a breastfeeding/chestfeeding or human milk study, and one respondent was unsure. Despite so few having been asked, 59% (n = 61) of respondents indicated they would donate breast/human milk to research if asked. Respondent characteristics associated with prior research participation included having greater socio-economic advantage (p = 0.027) and greater knowledge of discriminatory historical events/policies (p < 0.001). In contrast, the only respondent characteristic associated with willingness to donate human milk to research was younger age (p = 0.002).ConclusionOur findings suggest that Black pregnant and postpartum people are interested in biomedical research, specifically human milk and lactation research. However, greater intentionality and targeted recruitment of this underrepresented population is needed to increase diversity among human milk and lactation study samples. Structural and community-based interventions, informed by community members, are needed to address concerns and improve participant engagement. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:32:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6fe9600270c54826907b9abdee2c6f0e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:32:26Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-6fe9600270c54826907b9abdee2c6f0e2024-04-12T15:03:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2024-04-011110.3389/fnut.2024.12748331274833Access to and interest in human milk research opportunities among Black pregnant and postpartum peopleIfeyinwa V. Asiodu0Caryl L. Gay1Brandi Gates-Burgess2Gabriela Negrete3Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United StatesDepartment of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United StatesHighland Hospital, Alameda Health System, Oakland, CA, United StatesDepartment of Human Ecology, Human Development & Family Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United StatesBackgroundConcerns exist regarding biomedical research participation in marginalized and historically disadvantaged communities.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to understand critical barriers to participation in human milk research from the perspective of Black pregnant and postpartum people.MethodsA national sample of Black pregnant and postpartum people (n = 104) was recruited to complete a cross-sectional online survey informed by the Life Course Perspective. Survey questions assessed research experiences and preferences, particularly related to human milk research, knowledge of historical events/policies targeting Black communities, and demographic characteristics. A socio-economic composite score was calculated as an indicator of socio-economic advantage. Survey data were summarized descriptively and potential correlates of research engagement were evaluated.ResultsMost (69%, n = 71) respondents reported previous participation in a research study, yet only 8 (8%) reported ever being asked to participate in a breastfeeding/chestfeeding or human milk study, and one respondent was unsure. Despite so few having been asked, 59% (n = 61) of respondents indicated they would donate breast/human milk to research if asked. Respondent characteristics associated with prior research participation included having greater socio-economic advantage (p = 0.027) and greater knowledge of discriminatory historical events/policies (p < 0.001). In contrast, the only respondent characteristic associated with willingness to donate human milk to research was younger age (p = 0.002).ConclusionOur findings suggest that Black pregnant and postpartum people are interested in biomedical research, specifically human milk and lactation research. However, greater intentionality and targeted recruitment of this underrepresented population is needed to increase diversity among human milk and lactation study samples. Structural and community-based interventions, informed by community members, are needed to address concerns and improve participant engagement.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1274833/fullhuman milk researchlactation researchrecruitmentresearch participationBlack women and birthing peopleresearch opportunities |
| spellingShingle | Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu Caryl L. Gay Brandi Gates-Burgess Gabriela Negrete Access to and interest in human milk research opportunities among Black pregnant and postpartum people Frontiers in Nutrition human milk research lactation research recruitment research participation Black women and birthing people research opportunities |
| title | Access to and interest in human milk research opportunities among Black pregnant and postpartum people |
| title_full | Access to and interest in human milk research opportunities among Black pregnant and postpartum people |
| title_fullStr | Access to and interest in human milk research opportunities among Black pregnant and postpartum people |
| title_full_unstemmed | Access to and interest in human milk research opportunities among Black pregnant and postpartum people |
| title_short | Access to and interest in human milk research opportunities among Black pregnant and postpartum people |
| title_sort | access to and interest in human milk research opportunities among black pregnant and postpartum people |
| topic | human milk research lactation research recruitment research participation Black women and birthing people research opportunities |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1274833/full |
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