Idemili-Aronu N, Olakunde BO, et al.
Africa faces a growing cancer burden yet remains underrepresented in global cancer clinical trials, limiting the evidence base for its populations, with Nigeria facing particular recruitment and retention challenges. This mixed-methods study, combining a survey with qualitative interviews across oncology centers in Nigeria's ICON-3 Practice-Based Research Network, examined patient perspectives on what hinders and supports clinical trial participation. Among 317 survey respondents and 18 interview participants, key barriers included limited understanding of clinical trials, logistical challenges such as transportation and visit frequency, distrust in researchers and the healthcare system, and lack of family support, while effective communication, financial incentives, flexible scheduling, and culturally appropriate approaches were identified as facilitators. The authors conclude that optimizing participation in low-resource settings requires interventions tailored to local structural and cultural contexts.
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