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Differences Between African American and White Research Volunteers in Their Attitudes, Beliefs and Knowledge Regarding Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease

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Journal of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

Genetic susceptibility testing for common diseases is expanding, but little is known about race group differences in test perceptions. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between African Americans and Whites in knowledge, attitudes, and motivations regarding genetic susceptibility testing for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Before enrolling in an AD genetic testing research trial, 313 first-degree relatives of AD patients (20% African American; 71% female; mean age = 58 years) were surveyed regarding: (1) knowledge about genetics and AD risk; (2) concerns about developing AD; and (3) reasons for seeking testing. In comparison to Whites, African Americans were less knowledgeable about genetics and AD risk (p < .01) and less concerned about developing AD (p < .05), with lower levels of perceived disease risk (p = .04). The results suggest that African Americans and Whites differ notably in their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding genetic testing for AD. Additional research with more representative samples is needed to better understand these differences.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by RO1-HG02213, RO1-HG005092, RO1-AG09029, P30-AG13846, K24-AG027841, M01 RR000533 and UL1 RR025771.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, University of Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY, USA

    Ibidapo Akinleye

  2. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109–2029, USA

    J. Scott Roberts & Erin Linnenbringer

  3. Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Charmaine D. M. Royal

  4. Department of Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Thomas O. Obisesan

  5. Cancer Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Pediatrics and Child Health, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Grace-Ann Fasaye

  6. Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Robert C. Green

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  1. Ibidapo Akinleye
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  2. J. Scott Roberts
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  3. Charmaine D. M. Royal
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Correspondence to J. Scott Roberts.

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Akinleye, I., Roberts, J.S., Royal, C.D.M. et al. Differences Between African American and White Research Volunteers in Their Attitudes, Beliefs and Knowledge Regarding Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease. J Genet Counsel 20, 650–659 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-011-9377-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-011-9377-6

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