Preferences of Academic Researches and Pattern of Utilization of Behavior Laboratory Science for Preclinical Researches - a Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Several studies confirmed the relation between mortality, behavioral and social factors and emphasized the importance of behavioral and social science to public health practice. Aim: This study aimed to determine the preferences of the researchers who utilize the behavioral sciences laboratory at the Preclinical Research Unit and define the patter of laboratory utilization in order to maximize the benefits gained from it. Methods: This cross sectional study conducted at the KFMRC, KAU, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2018 on the researchers who visited the behavior research laboratory between October 2018 and December 2018. A structured self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect the demographic data and preferences of the participants and the pattern of utilization of the behavior science laboratory. The response rate was 100%. The Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Results: About 47% of the participants were working at the faculty of medicine (FOM) and about 47% were assistant professor. About 53 had previously conducted researches in behaviors science field. The majority of the participants were interested in memory field (about 57%) followed by the social field (20%). The least attractive field were the nutritional and anxiety (1.4%). The percent of non-medical researchers who had no interest in co-ordination field was significantly higher (p=0.041) compared to the medical/paramedical specialists. Conclusion: This study shed the light on the relative reduced interest in behavior researches among the academic researchers. There is need for more orientation programs and campaigns to raise the awareness of the importance of behaviors researches laboratories and researches.