Work

Adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the BANKS-SP biobanking survey in longstanding dengue virus cohorts in Colombia and Nicaragua

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Background Sample reuse and sharing are central to infectious disease (ID) research. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of source community members around biobank participation can help cohorts develop targeted interventions and ensure continued support for biobanks. Validated, multiscale, and culturally relevant instruments to assess these constructs are scarce, particularly for Spanish-speaking populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey using the Biobanking Attitudes and Knowledge Survey–Spanish (BANKS-SP) with parents or legal guardians of participants in long-standing dengue cohort studies in Bucaramanga, Colombia (N = 64), and Managua, Nicaragua (N = 60). Because the BANKS-SP was developed for cancer biobank participants in the US state of Florida, we first conducted cognitive interviews at each site to evaluate comprehension in the new context and made minor modifications. We assessed internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha, item-to-total correlations, and inter-item correlations; examined the factor structure using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with promax rotation; and assessed construct validity using locally weighted regression (LOWESS) curves. Results The Self-efficacy Scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency in both Colombia (Cronbach’s α = 0.79) and Nicaragua (α = 0.91). The Attitudes Scale showed lower internal consistency (Colombia: α = 0.63, below threshold; Nicaragua: α = 0.70). EFA identified a dominant altruism factor for the Attitudes Scale, a second factor comprising three reverse-coded items on perceived personal risks, and a two-item information security doublet; for the Self-Efficacy Scale it identified a broad motivational factor, a distinct physical capacity and bodily unease sub-dimension, and a two-item pain doublet. The two doublets indicate item redundancy rather than substantive sub-dimensions. Knowledge scores were higher in Nicaragua (mean = 56% correct) than in Colombia (mean = 46% correct). The hardest knowledge item across sites concerned whether researchers always contact participants when their samples indicate a disease risk (item difficulty = 0.14). LOWESS curves showed that attitudes increased with biobanking knowledge at both sites (r = 0.29–0.42, all p ≤ 0.023); the knowledge–self-efficacy association was significant only in the combined sample (r = 0.24, p = 0.009), providing partial support for construct validity. Conclusions The BANKS-SP Self-efficacy Scale performed adequately in this new LMIC population, while the Attitudes Scale requires targeted revision before use in single-country LMIC samples. Knowledge of the governance and legal framework surrounding biospecimen donation was poor at both sites, indicating specific, addressable gaps in how informed consent and community education are delivered in infectious disease cohort research.

Source: Research Square

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-10636561/v1