Attitudes of Scottish Residents in the Southeast of Spain Concerning Living Donation

Attitude of Older People Toward Living Donation

BACKGROUND

Living donation is a potential source of organs that could help to reduce the organ transplant deficit. Given that we have a worldwide aging population, it is important to assess the opinion of older people toward this type of donation.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the attitude of people aged > 65 years toward living kidney donation (LKD) and living liver donation (LLD) and to investigate the variables affecting their attitudes.

METHODS

A multicentric study was carried out using a representative sample of people > 65 years stratified by sex and geographic location in southeastern Spain (n = 420). The measurement instrument was a validated questionnaire about LKD and LLD. Statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, United States) software. Descriptive analysis was carried out using Student t test, χ² test, and a multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The questionnaire completion rate was 84% (n = 351) with 88% (n = 310) in favor of LKD, and 89% (n = 311) in favor of LLD. Favorable attitude decreased to 3% when the donation under consideration was unrelated. Attitudes toward LKD and LLD were associated with having received information from the television (P = .016 and P = .045) and from friends (P = .017 and P = .03); accepting an autopsy after death (P = .001 and P = .002); and not being worried about scars (P = .015 and P = .044). In the multivariate analysis, the following variables continued to be significant: having received information from the television (odds ratio [OR], 2) and from friends (OR, 10.3); and the acceptance of an autopsy (OR, 2).

CONCLUSIONS

Older people are in favor of both LKD and LLD, assuming it is a related donation. In addition, the information the elderly population receives regarding organ donation and transplantation affects their attitudes.

Attitudes Toward Living Organ Donation and Willingness to Be a Living Organ Donor Among Chinese Citizens in 3 Cities

OBJECTIVE

The level of awareness of living organ donation demonstrated by citizens may affect the rate of organ transplantation in their area of residence. The objective of this study was to assess the attitudes toward living organ donation and willingness to be a living organ donor among Chinese citizens.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 2250 citizens in Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers based on the existing literature and expert opinions. The questionnaire included questions designed to assess demographics, attitudes, and willingness. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software.

RESULTS

Overall, 2198 citizens completed the questionnaire, of whom 845 (38.4%) supported living organ donation; however, only 213 (9.6%) participants were supportive of their family members donating living organs. A total of 424 (19.3%) citizens were willing to be living organ donors. Of the respondents, 1173 (53.4%) were neutral toward living organ donation and 1463 (66.6%) were undecided about their willingness to donate. In addition, willingness was positively correlated with age, education level, income, marital status, and having descendants (P < .05). Those who had relatives or friends who had undergone organ transplantation were significantly more likely to be donors than those who did not (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study suggest that Chinese citizens lack an understanding of living organ transplantation, indicating that more work needs to be done to inform the public about organ transplantation in China.

Multicenter Stratified Study From Spain About Acceptance of Living Liver Donation Among Veterinarian Students

Veterinarians often hold decision-making positions in the public health care system, and therefore can influence public opinion about organ donation. The objective is to analyze the attitude of Spanish veterinarian students toward living liver donation (LLD) and to establish which factors have an influence on this attitude.

METHODS

A sociological, interdisciplinary, multicenter, and observational study was carried out in the veterinarian students enrolled in Spain (n = 9000) (university academic year 2010-2011). A sample of 2854 students was stratified by geographic area and academic year. A validated questionnaire (PCID-DVH RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. The questionnaire was applied to each academic year at compulsory sessions at randomly selected veterinary schools. Statistical analysis included t test, χ² test, and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Completion rate was 94% (n = 2683); 89% (n = 2345) were in favor of related LLD, and 40% (n = 1053) supported unrelated LLD. The following variables were associated with a more favorable attitude: (1) age (P < .001), (2) sex (P < .001), (3) academic year (P < .001), (4) believing in the possibility of needing a transplant oneself in the future (P < .001), (5) attitude toward deceased donation (P < .001), (6) attitude toward living kidney donation (P < .001), (7) acceptance of a donated liver segment from a family member if one were needed (P < .001), (8) having discussed the subject with one's family (P = .009) and friends (P < .001), (9) a partner's opinion about the subject (P = .002), and (10) fear of the possible mutilation of the body after donation (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Spanish veterinary students have a favorable attitude toward LLD.