Maternal Willingness to Participate in Research Involving Neuroimaging, Biological Sample Collection, and Data Storage: Towards a Multicentre Neurodevelopmental Research in a low-resource setting

Abstract

Abstract Background Maternal participation in neurodevelopmental research involving neuroimaging and diverse biological samples is essential for understanding prenatal influences on early brain development, yet willingness in low-resource settings remains underexplored. Method We surveyed 300 mothers using a structured questionnaire to assess willingness to undergo brain health testing (with a focus on electroencephalography [EEG] and brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), provide biological samples (blood, stool, urine, breast milk, placenta, amniotic fluid, vaginal/nasal fluid, saliva, tears), and consent to 10-year storage. Responses were analysed to examine associations between maternal sociodemographic factors and willingness to consent for each research component. Results Ninety-two percent of participants expressed willingness for brain health testing, including ∼82% and ∼88% interest in EEG and MRI, respectively, even for untreatable conditions. Self-reported histories of foetal defects (5.3%) and birth defects (7.3%) were notably low. Biospecimen acceptance was highest (>95%) for routine samples (blood, stool, urine) but significantly low for sensitive specimens (breast milk, placenta, amniotic fluid: 51–55%) including (vaginal fluid, saliva, tears: 16–47%). Higher levels of maternal education consistently predicted consent across modalities, while being in a relationship increased willingness for stool, urine, placenta, amniotic fluid, MRI, and EEG. Low income reduced uptake for placenta, amniotic fluid, MRI, and EEG. Only 48% consented to 10-year storage of images and samples for future research. Conclusion This study demonstrates high maternal willingness for neurodevelopmental research involving brain health testing and routine biospecimens in a low-resource setting. The findings highlight the feasibility of such protocols in a low-resource setting while exposing persistent inequities that risk underrepresenting disadvantaged mothers in maternal-child brain research. Contextually tailored consent models and capacity-building initiatives will be essential to ensure equitable, sustainable engagement across diverse LMIC populations.