EP01.60: Inclusive representation in pregnancy research: a mixed methods survey of women's perceptions and experiences in the United Kingdom

To explore the experiences and perceptions of women who may take part in antenatal research, including their perceived motivators, enablers, with a sub-analysis of underrepresented groups. A mixed methods parallel explanatory design was employed. A UK-wide semi-structured online survey was circulated using a start-to-end participatory framework. Scenario-based Likert scale responses and participant background data were cross-tabulated to explore the differences between groups using descriptive and non-parametric statistics (Kruskall Wallis/Mann Whitney U). A template content analysis explored open-ended questions and generated high-level themes. The qualitative/quantitative results were then merged using a pillar integration process. There were 260 responses across the UK over a 2-month period. Community advisory group meetings (n = 6) were held and the final validation meeting was in March 2023. Significantly increased research willingness was seen in some subgroups i.e. healthcare professionals; having experienced NHS research; considering a fetal MRI; and differences between racial/ethnic groups were seen (p < 0.05). Qualitative findings included 409 references and 28 top-level codes from the verbatim quotes. 3 meta themes were developed from the quant/qual pillar integration: 1. Participation being mediated by perceptions and experience of safety (including physical, psychological, and governance), convenience and communication, 2. lived experience and education lowering the entry bar to research participation, and, 3. sociocultural differences leading to research hesitancy. Researchers teams working in antenatal settings have the potential to impact the inclusion of underserved communities and broaden research participation. Recommendations for facilitative research designs, well-considered communication strategies, and, authentic relationships, supporting participant education about research, are key strategies that can be embedded in inclusive research design.