Association of Internet Use with Knowledge of Clinical Trials: An analysis using the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) Dataset (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Lack of knowledge of clinical trial (CT) research may perpetuate poor engagement of underrepresented populations. The rise of internet use may improve CT knowledge, and internet-based recruitment modalities might differentially benefit recruitment if internet users have higher baseline CT knowledge. We seek to bridge these gaps by assessing the role the internet plays in improving access to health information and CT participation. OBJECTIVE To determine how internet use impacts CT knowledge among US adults. METHODS The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5 Cycle 4 is a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of US adults. Participants self-reported internet use (yes/no) and knowledge of CTs (dichotomized as none/little vs. higher). Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) of higher CT knowledge by internet use, adjusting for sociodemographic and health factors. Analysis was stratified by internet use modalities, exploring knowledge variations. RESULTS Among a weighted sample of 249,896,898 participants (mean [SD] age 46 [17.0] years, 50% women), 88% were internet users. No knowledge or only a little knowledge of CTs was reported among 97% of internet non-users and 89% of internet users. There were significantly greater odds of high CT knowledge among internet users vs. non-users in the fully adjusted model (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.30–5.52). Stratified analyses demonstrated a positive association of combined mobile phone and home-based internet use with higher CT knowledge in the fully adjusted model (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.36–5.59). CONCLUSIONS Internet use is associated with greater CT knowledge. Thus, internet-based recruitment modalities may augment conventional engagement methods to identify US adults potentially interested in CT participation. CLINICALTRIAL N/A