Ethical considerations referred to in child health research published in leading nursing journals: 2015–2019

Abstract

BackgroundChild health research comprises complex ethical considerations. Understanding the extent to which the ethical process is reported in child health research is needed to improve reporting.AimsTo identify reportage of ethical considerations in child health research in leading nursing and paediatric journals.MethodsAll child health research published between 2015 and 2019 in 10 leading nursing journals and two paediatric journals were retrieved and critically appraised for the reportage of informed consent and ethical approval.ResultsEight hundred and fifty‐one child health research papers were included. Although 544 (79.9%) of the prospective studies mentioned informed consent, only 300 (55.2%) reported that written informed consent was obtained from the participants. Overall, 748 (87.9%) of child health research papers noted obtaining research ethics committee approval. Articles that mentioned financial support were significantly more likely to report informed consent and ethical approval than unfunded studies (all P < 0.001). Prospective studies showed higher rates of reportage of ethical approval compared to retrospective studies (P = 0.027). Rates of child consent (assent) obtained in different age groups of children ranged from 29.6% to 66.3%.ConclusionDespite improvements in the reportage of ethical review and approval processes in child health research, consistent and transparent reports are still lacking.

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