P1-551: “memory research: is it right for me?” a video/peer role model intervention to change research attitudes among elderly minorities

Minorities are underrepresented in dementia research. Educational videos and peers may encourage research participation. In a previous study (JAD 2016, 53:69–72) we assessed research attitudes in urban poor minority elders attending senior center talks, using the 7-item Research Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ). On items relating to trust, safety, and personal responsibility to help research, a significant minority (38–48%) responded neutrally/negatively. We compared this group's responses to a new group in the same community. The new talks included a video about research participation co-produced by ADRC faculty and seniors in our Community Advisory Board (CAB). ADRC and CAB members co-wrote the script. CAB members acted in a 2-minute video “Memory research; Is it right for me?” The video, in English with some Spanish, featured three elderly minority women conversing about research participation. It was presented with the CAB co-leading a Q/A session. Attitude was measured by the 7-item RAQ (5-point Likert Scale). 192 attendees across 19 presentations completed the RAQ. Mean age was 74 (82% female). 57% were Latino and 43% non-Hispanic Blacks. Education levels were 27% < 12 years, 38% high school graduates, 23% some college, and 13% >= 16 years. Among our Latino attendees, 72% had < 12 years of education, similar to 2014. Despite differences in educational levels, responses indicated that, compared to our previous published results, attendees in the video/peer group expressed more trust in research safety (3.8 vs 3.4; p<0.0002), confidentiality (4.1 vs 3.7; p<0.005), protection of subject's interests(3.9 vs 3.5; p<0.0073) and that everyone has some responsibility to volunteer in research (3.9 vs 3.6; p<0.0027). RAQ responses among Latinos, where education was equivalent, were similar to the whole group. The video/peer group expressed more trust and sense of responsibility regarding research participation compared to a historical group. This may be because of identification with the CAB who were in the video and Q/A. Using peers as trusted advisors may change attitudes and increase comfort and personal responsibility concerning research participation.