J Genet Counsel (2011) 20:650–659 DOI 10.1007/s10897-011-9377-6
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Differences Between African American and White Research Volunteers in Their Attitudes, Beliefs and Knowledge Regarding Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease Ibidapo Akinleye & J. Scott Roberts & Charmaine D. M. Royal & Erin Linnenbringer & Thomas O. Obisesan & Grace-Ann Fasaye & Robert C. Green
Received: 18 January 2011 / Accepted: 26 May 2011 / Published online: 9 June 2011 # National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc. 2011
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 firstdegree relatives of AD patients (20% African American; 71% I. Akinleye Department of Epidemiology, University of Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY, USA J. S. Roberts (*) : E. Linnenbringer Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–2029, USA e-mail:
[email protected]
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
