Quality of Internet Education about Living Kidney Donation for Hispanics

Abstract

Hispanics need disproportionately more kidney transplants, yet receive disproportionately fewer kidney transplants and living donor kidney transplants than non-Hispanic whites. Lack of knowledge and cultural beliefs about living kidney donation contribute to these disparities. The Internet is an optimal venue to educate underserved, low-literacy populations. Websites were evaluated for information on living kidney donation targeted to Hispanics. Hispanic websites addressing living kidney donation were identified through the Google search engine, using the search terms Hispanic, Latino, Spanish, and living kidney donor/donation. Websites were evaluated for accessibility of information, readability, and content required by 9 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations representing 12 topics, and cultural competency. Twenty resources met inclusion criteria. Websites contained 2.3 pages on living kidney donation and required 2.4 links to access all information on living kidney donation. Websites were written at the 9th grade reading level. Sites described alternative treatments for recipients (n = 14), the evaluation process (n = 7), and the surgical procedure (n=6). Few addressed psychosocial risks (n=2). Some contained culturally sensitive colors and pictures (n = 8), but few addressed Hispanic cultural beliefs (n = 4). A comprehensive website on living kidney donation that provides more robust content and is targeted to Hispanics is needed to increase Hispanics' understanding of treatment options.