The Attitude of Scottish Citizens to Xenotransplantation in the South East of Spain: An Emerging Population Subgroup

Abstract

Introduction It is important to discover whether xenotransplantation would be accepted in society. In populations where there are preclinical projects there is the possibility of xenotransplantation to humans. In the South East of Spain in recent years there has been a significant social change, due to the migratory influx, which is making it necessary to reconsider the level of acceptance of xenotransplantation. The objective of this study was to analyze the attitudes of and to determine relevant variables among the population from southeastern Spain who were born in Scotland. Method A random sample of the population from the South East of Spain that was born in Scotland. ( n = 350) answered a questionnaire with categories validated for our geographical area. The self-administered survey was completed anonymously between November 2005 and March 2006. The statistical analysis employed Student's t-test, the χ 2 test, and Fisher's exact test. Results The questionnaire completion rate was 93% ( n = 325). Assuming the results were comparable with those obtained using human organs, most respondents (67%) favored xenotransplantation with 8% against and 25% undecided. With regard to xenotransplantation, if the results were worse than those achieved using human organs, 26% ( n = 83) would be in favor, 55% ( n = 178) undecided, and the remaining 19% ( n = 62) against these procedures. The attitude was related to belonging to the male gender ( P < .001), marital status ( P = .008), level of education ( P = .041), a partner's favorable attitude toward transplantation ( P < .001), and a favorable attitude toward organ donation, either from a deceased ( P = .001) or a living ( P < .001) donor. Conclusion The attitudes of Scottish residents in southeastern Spain were similar to those of the native Spanish population and determined by many psychosocial factors, mainly related to previous attitudes toward various types of human organ donation.