OBJECTIVES: Clinical use of pharmacogenetic testing has the potential to improve patient health outcomes. However, public acceptance is essential for the successful integration of pharmacogenetic testing into routine clinical care. This study assessed the factors associated with acceptance of pharmacogenetic testing among the general public in Malaysia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 385 adult participants in randomly selected areas in eight administrative districts in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the study data. The questionnaire comprised 37 questions on sociodemographic information, health status and medicines use experience, knowledge and awareness about pharmacogenetics, attitude and concerns toward pharmacogenetics, and acceptance of pharmacogenetic testing. Univariate (Chi square test or spearman’s correlation) and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Outcome measure was acceptance of pharmacogenetic testing. The level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05.

RESULTS: The study included 52.7% and 47.3% male and female participants respectively. A majority (77.7%) of the participants were willing to accept pharmacogenetic testing. Race, marital status, health insurance status, knowledge and awareness of pharmacogenetics testing, past experience of regarding efficacy and side-effects of medicines, willingness to know more about pharmacogenetic testing , attitude and concerns about pharmacogenetic testing were significant correlates of acceptance of pharmacogenetic testing. Acceptance of pharmacogenetic testing was significantly predicted by race (OR= 0.433, p = 0.029), health insurance status (OR= 2.326, p = 0.035) willingness to know more about pharmacogenetic testing (OR= 5.922, p = 0.001), attitude (OR= 4.337, p = 0.001) and concerns (OR= 7.524, p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Public acceptance of pharmacogenetic testing is influenced by sociodemographic factors, past medicine use experience, personal attitude and concerns. Increased knowledge about pharmacogenetic testing may enhance the acceptance of pharmacogenetic testing among the general public