An exploration of motivational factors that influence research participants’ willingness to join in a maternal referral system trial in Uvinza District, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Participating in research is one way for individuals in low-to-middle income countries to obtain needed treatment. Paying research participants may also encourage participation but there are many ethical concerns related to the use of incentives in global research, particularly within low-to-middle income countries, such as Tanzania. Little research exists to understand the motivations of Tanzanian citizens to participate in research. Objective: The objective of the study was to explore research participants‘ motivational factors in their willingness to join the Maternal Referral System Trial (MRST) conducted at Uvinza, Tanzania. Methodology: The study used a qualitative descriptive design and was conducted at Uvinza district where the 2015 MRST was conducted. Participants for this trial were selected purposively. A total of 21 participants were interviewed upon the point of saturation, including 4 community leaders, 5 health care workers, 5 motorcycle drivers (Bodaboda) and 7 pregnant women who had an emergency condition during the MRST and joined in the maternal trial. Data were collected by the principal researcher together with two trained research assistants. Focus group and semi-structured interview guides were used for data collection. Content inductive analysis approach was used to code data where by sub-themes and themes generated. Data analysis was assisted by NVIVO software version 12. Results: A total of 21(100%) participants were recruited in the study including 4(19.1%) community leaders, 5(23.8%) health care workers, 5(23.8%) motorcycle drivers (Bodaboda) and 7(33.3%) pregnant women. The study reveals that there are three motivational factors influencing participants to join the MRST in Uvinza, tanzania. The first includes individual related motivational factors like level of education, expertise and information delivery. Second is family related motivational factors including family pressure, burden of family members, and lastly is research related factors including incentives, benefit to participation, and trust. xii Conclusion: Conclusively, this study found that people in Uvinza were ready and motivated to participate in a research study, so long as their concerns were recognized by the research study and the researchers. Budget: This study costed a total budget of Tanzanian shillings 2,400,000/=.