Stanslaus Mghanga1,2*, Alan Mtenga1,2, Liliane Pasape1 and Ally Olotu2
Volume 1, Issue 1
Published: 30 January 2026
Background:
Clinical trials are important for advancing medical knowledge and improving healthcare delivery. However, participants’ knowledge and attitudes towards clinical trials remain a key challenge affecting clinical trial recruitment and participant retention. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of the Bagamoyo district towards participation in clinical trials.
Methods:
A convergent parallel mixed-methods study was conducted among adults in the Bagamoyo district. A multistage Stratified random sampling was used to select participants. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and using logistic regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically using NVivo.
Results:
Among 394 recruited participants, 293 (74.4%) were female and 101 (25.6%) male. Most participants had a primary level education (266, 67.5%), while 128 (32.5%) had secondary or tertiary education. The majority were married (297, 75.4%), and 97 (24.6%) were either separated or unmarried. Regarding economic status, 244 participants (61.9%) earned less than Tsh. 50,000. General knowledge of clinical trials was low, with most participants scoring below 60%. However, we found a positive attitude towards participation in clinical trials. Logistic regression revealed that poor knowledge was significantly associated with being male (AOR, 22.95 (95% CI: 10.27–51.28, p = 0.001)), age above 55 years (AOR of 2.43 (95% CI: 1.29–4.55, p = 0.006)) and unemployment (AOR of 2.39 (95% CI: 1.27–4.53, p = 0.007)). Positive attitudes towards clinical trial participation were significantly associated with being female (AOR) 7.61 (95% CI: 4.32–13.39, p < 0.001), age 44 years and below, (AOR: 2.22 (95% CI: 1.27–3.86, p = 0.005) and employment (AOR of 1.89 (95% CI: 1.08–3.32, p = 0.03).
Conclusions:
Despite low levels of knowledge, the general population in the Bagamoyo district demonstrated a high willingness to participate in clinical trials. To address the knowledge gap, targeted educational interventions should focus on older adults and the unemployed. Furthermore, policies supporting community outreach and awareness campaigns may help strengthen public understanding and sustain positive attitudes toward clinical research.
Clinical Trials, Awareness, Public Knowledge, Attitudes, Participation, Mixed-Methods, Perception, Tanzania
Stanslaus Mghanga, Nelson Mandela Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania.
Mghanga, S., Mtenga, A., Pasape, L., Olotu, A. (2026). Public Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Clinical Trial Participation: A Mixed-Method Study in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania. Epidemiol Public Health OA, 1(1), 01-17.