Assessment of Research Ethics Knowledge of Pediatricians in Azerbaijan

Background: To assess knowledge of pediatric research ethics in an Azerbaijan child healthcare community. Methods: We translated the Test of Residents’ Ethics Knowledge for Pediatrics (TREK-P) in Azeri and administered it to four groups: (i) third-year medical students (n=21), (ii) pediatrics residents (n=24), (iii) experienced pediatricians (n=21), and (iv) fellows (n=9) of a Fogarty International Center National Institute of Health (Fogarty/NIH) R25 research ethics education program in Baku, Azerbaijan. The difference in the TREK-P score between the groups was evaluated. Within a joined group of pediatricians and fellows, we evaluated correlation between the TREK-P score and other factors. Results: A previously funded Fogarty International Center/National Institute of Health (Fogarty/NIH) research education fellows scored significantly higher than the other groups (p = .006). There was no significant difference between the other three groups. Within a joined group of pediatricians and fellows, previous training on ethics was the only factor that correlated with the higher TREK-P scores (p < .05). Conclusions: The higher scores on TREK-P in fellows support effectiveness of postgraduate Fogarty/NIH training programs in ethics. The low scores of the practicing pediatricians without previous ethics training as compared to students and residents reflect the lack of postgraduate education on ethical principles.