Donation Attitudes Research Articles

Comparison of medical and allied health students' attitudes on organ donation: case study from a private university in Karachi (Short Report)

Organ transplantation is often the only hope for patients with end-stage organ failure. Organ transplant surgeries are increasingly becoming available in Pakistan. From May-July 2017, using convenience sampling and statistical programme R 3.4.1, we assessed and compared the organ donation attitudes among medical and allied health undergraduate students of the Hamdard University in Karachi. Compared to non-medical students, medical students were more likely to be concerned that family members of brain-dead patients would be upset if approached for organ donation, and felt that appropriate time for bringing up organ donation would be after the declaration of brain death has taken place. Medical students also considered prolonging life by using human organ transplants more appropriate, and considered organ donation desirable when a patient has been declared brain dead. As demand of human organs for transplantation far exceeds the supply, there is need to better understand the dynamics underpinning positive attitudes towards organ donation, and to improve educational activities by encouraging debate and acceptance of organ donation for saving lives.

Knowledge of the Brain Death Concept in Dominican Immigration Residents in Spain and Florida

The Latin American population has a double way of immigration, one toward the United States by proximity and another toward Spain by sociocultural affinity. This population increase is affecting organ donation and transplantation in receiving countries. ObjectiveTo analyze the brain death (BD) concept knowledge in the Dominican Republic immigrant population in Florida (United States) and Spain. MethodPopulation under study: Population born in the Dominican Republic, resident in Florida (United States) and in Spain. Inclusion criteria: Population older than 15 years stratified by age and sex. Assessment instrument: Donation attitude questionnaire PCID-DTO-Ríos. Fieldwork: Random selection based on stratification. Immigration support association collaboration in Florida and Spain was needed to locate potential respondents. Completion was anonymous and self-administered, with verbal consent. ResultsA total of 123 respondents, 57 residents in Spain and 66 in Florida, have been included in the study. The 27% (n = 33) of the respondents knowledgeable of the BD concept consider it the death of an individual. Of the remainder, 52% (n = 64) do not know about it, and the remaining 21% (n = 26) believe it does not mean the death of a patient. No differences were observed regarding migration countries (P > .05). There was no association of the BD concept with other psychosocial factors analyzed or with the attitude toward organ donation. ConclusionsKnowledge of the BD concept among the Dominican immigrant population is similar in Spain and Florida, and, unlike most studies, there is no objective association with the attitude toward organ donation.

Factors That Affect Chinese Parents' Willingness to Donate Children's Biospecimens in Pediatric Research

Objective: To examine the factors that may influence Chinese parent's willingness to donate their children's biospecimens for use in pediatric research. Study Design: Parents or caregivers of the patients in the neurosurgery ward, oncological surgery ward, and internal medical wards at Shanghai Children's Medical Center were recruited during the period of March 1, 2016 to July 8, 2018. The questionnaire included the willingness to provide consent for donating their children's clinical biospecimens, their attitudes toward and motivations for donating their children's clinical biospecimens, opinions of contributing specimens, and an ethical consideration for their children's future willingness to donate biospecimens. Participants' demographic data and children's basic information were collected. Results: The majority of the participants agreed to donate the patients' biospecimens for research. Parents with pronounced religious beliefs, less education, who had only one child, child with a more severe disease, and living in an urban district were associated with negative attitudes toward biospecimen donation, but none of other parents' sociodemographic characteristics and some of the children's basic characteristics disclosed significant differences in donation attitudes. In five different types of biospecimens, parents were more reluctant to donate specific blood biospecimens. Physical pain and privacy protection were of most concern to parents when it came to donating their child's biospecimens. It was widely believed in parents that reconsent would be necessary for the 18-year-old adolescent. Conclusions: Our findings explored the factors that were of greatest worry to parents related to parents' willingness to donate their child's biospecimens in China. We recommend greater patient explanation to enhance the participant's engagement in the biospecimen donation, and the adolescent's attitude toward biospecimen donation needs further consideration.

Parents\u2019 knowledge, awareness and attitudes of cord blood donation and banking options: an integrative review

BackgroundFor over 25 years cord blood has been used as an alternative to bone marrow for therapeutic use in conditions of the blood, immune system and metabolic disorders. Parents can decide if they would like to privately store their infant’s cord blood for later use if needed or to publicly donate it. Parents need to be aware of the options that exist for their infant’s cord blood and have access to the relevant information to inform their choice. The aim of this paper is to identify parent’s knowledge and awareness of cord blood donation, private banking options and stem cell use, and parent sources and preferred sources of this information.MethodsAn integrative review was conducted using several electronic databases to identify papers on parents’ knowledge, attitudes and attitudes towards umbilical cord blood donation and banking. The CASP tool was used to determine validity and quality of the studies included in the review.ResultsThe search of the international literature identified 25 papers which met review inclusion criteria. This integrative review identified parents’ knowledge of cord banking and/or donation as low, with awareness of cord blood banking options greater than knowledge. Parents were found to have positive attitudes towards cord blood donation including awareness of the value of cord blood and its uses, with the option considered to be an ethical and altruistic choice. Knowledge on cord blood use were mixed; many studies’ participants did not correctly identify uses. Information sources for parents on cord blood was found to be varied, fragmented and inconsistent. Health professionals were identified as the preferred source of information on cord blood banking for parents.ConclusionsThis integrative review has identified that further research should focus on identifying information that expectant parents require to assist them to make informed choices around cord blood banking; and identifying barriers present for health professionals providing evidence based information on cord blood use and banking options.

Assessing the Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding the Use of Mobile Health Technologies for Living Kidney Donor Follow-Up: Survey Study.

BackgroundIn 2013, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network began requiring transplant centers in the United States to collect and report postdonation living kidney donor follow-up data at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Despite this requirement, <50% of transplant centers have been able to collect and report the required data. Previous work identified a number of barriers to living kidney donor follow-up, including logistical and administrative barriers for transplant centers and cost and functional barriers for donors. Novel smartphone-based mobile health (mHealth) technologies might reduce the burden of living kidney donor follow-up for centers and donors. However, the attitudes and perceptions toward the incorporation of mHealth into postdonation care among living kidney donors are unknown. Understanding donor attitudes and perceptions will be vital to the creation of a patient-oriented mHealth system to improve living donor follow-up in the United States.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to assess living kidney donor attitudes and perceptions associated with the use of mHealth for follow-up.MethodsWe developed and administered a cross-sectional 14-question survey to 100 living kidney donors at our transplant center. All participants were part of an ongoing longitudinal study of long-term outcomes in living kidney donors. The survey included questions on smartphone use, current health maintenance behaviors, accessibility to health information, and attitudes toward using mHealth for living kidney donor follow-up.ResultsOf the 100 participants surveyed, 94 owned a smartphone (35 Android, 58 iPhone, 1 Blackberry), 37 had accessed their electronic medical record on their smartphone, and 38 had tracked their exercise and physical activity on their smartphone. While 77% (72/93) of participants who owned a smartphone and had asked a medical question in the last year placed the most trust with their doctors, nurses, or other health care professionals regarding answering a health-related question, 52% (48/93) most often accessed health information elsewhere. Overall, 79% (74/94) of smartphone-owning participants perceived accessing living kidney donor information and resources on their smartphone as useful. Additionally, 80% (75/94) perceived completing some living kidney donor follow-up via mHealth as useful. There were no significant differences in median age (60 vs 59 years; P=.65), median years since donation (10 vs 12 years; P=.45), gender (36/75, 36%, vs 37/75, 37%, male; P=.57), or race (70/75, 93%, vs 18/19, 95%, white; P=.34) between those who perceived mHealth as useful for living kidney donor follow-up and those who did not, respectively.ConclusionsOverall, smartphone ownership was high (94/100, 94.0%), and 79% (74/94) of surveyed smartphone-owning donors felt that it would be useful to complete their required follow-up with an mHealth tool, with no significant differences by age, sex, or race. These results suggest that patients would benefit from an mHealth tool to perform living donor follow-up.

A descriptive study of community-based profile and attitudes of body donors of an urban conglomeration in Western India

BackgroundBody donation is considered an altruistic act done by people for advancement of science. There has been a significant depreciation in the availability of cadavers for teaching and research all over the world. Unlike India, many countries have studied the profile and attitudes of potential body donors to improve body donation. With a huge health sector, this Indian study studied the profile and attitudes of body donors and their role in aiding science through body donation. MethodsFour hundred thirty-one survey forms with informed consent were sent to registered body donors. The questionnaire focused on demographic parameters and their perception on body donation. The data were collated, compared and interpreted with similar studies done worldwide. ResultsThe study shows an interesting pattern among the Indian donors in comparison to the West. An Indian donor is a male individual in 70s, highly educated and religious with good social background. Despite many similarities, there are important distinguishing features unique to our country and many myths surrounding body donation. ConclusionThe Indian donor is highly educated male and charitable with strong belief in God. He believes in aiding medical science through body donation.

Trauma Patients’ Attitudes toward Organ Donation at an Urban Level I Trauma Center

Many health-care workers (HCWs) surveyed at a trauma center believed their patients distrusted the organ allocation system. This study compares urban trauma patients' (TPs) attitudes toward organ donation with attitudes from the 2012 National Survey of Organ Donation Attitudes (NSODA). TPs presenting to the trauma clinic between September 2014 and August 2015 were surveyed. Patient responses were compared with the 2012 NSODA. One hundred and thirty-three TPs (95.0%) responded to the survey. Compared with the 2012 NSODA, groups were similar with regard to a patient's desire for OD after death (Trauma: 62.4% [Confidence interval [CI]: 53.6-70.7] vs NSODA: 59.3% [CI: 56.6-61.8]) and the belief that doctors are less likely to save their life if they are an organ donor (24.8% [CI: 17.7-33.0] vs 19.6% [CI: 18.3-21.0]). Approximately, 30 per cent of patients believed discrimination prevented minority patients from receiving transplants (27.1 [CI: 19.7-35.5] vs 30.3 [CI: 28.8-31.9]). TPs were less likely than the NSODA group to donate a family members' organs, if they did not know the family members' wishes (56.4% [CI: 47.5-65.0] vs 75.6% [CI: 68.7-71.8]); TPs were less likely to believe the United States transplant system uses a fair approach to distribute organs (47.4% [38.7-56.2] vs 64.6% [CI: 63.0-66.2]). Adjusting for race, both groups were similar in their willingness to donate a family members' organs; black TPs were less likely to believe the United States transplant system, which follows a fair approach in distributing organs (43.0% [CI: 32.4-54.2] vs 63.7% [59.7-67.6]). Despite HCWs perceptions, TPs had a positive view of OD. Educating HCWs on patient attitudes toward OD may decrease institutional barriers to OD.

Organ Donation Attitudes Among Individuals With Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease

BackgroundThe need for transplantable organs drastically outweighs the supply. Misconceptions are a barrier to increasing the rate of donor registration. Individuals with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) may incorrectly believe they are unable to be donors; however, their attitudes have not been studied. This study aims to explore beliefs of individuals with stage 5 CKD about their ability to donate and test the validity of an organ donation scale.MethodsWe examined the psychometric properties of a new 25-item organ donation scale among 554 patients with stage 5 CKD at 12 dialysis units in southeast Michigan. Patients completed surveys during dialysis treatment with assistance from a program coordinator or social worker.ResultsTwo subscales with good psychometric properties were identified: general benefits (α = 0.86) and general barriers (α = 0.80). For both subscales, more positive attitudes were associated with higher intent to sign up on the donor registry, suggesting validity of the scale.ConclusionsPatients who were older than 60 years, white, or of higher education status reported more positive attitudes. Misconceptions about the ability of patients with stage 5 CKD to donate are common and highlight a need for education about donor eligibility. Individuals with stage 5 CKD may be able to donate organs and tissues.

Effects of Peer Education on Attitudes Toward Organ Donation in Nursing Students

BackgroundNurses play an effective role in the identification of donors and in the families' decision-making processes related to organ donation. It is recommended that nursing students be offered specific education regarding organ donation and transplantation. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of peer education on attitudes toward organ donation and the rate of attaining a donor card in undergraduate nursing students. MethodsThis study was a quasi-experimental trial in a single group conducted between February 2016 and October 2016. Data were collected in 3 stages (pretest, posttest 1, and posttest 2) by using the Organ Donation Attitudes Scale. Data analysis was made with descriptive statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance, and the McNemar test. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 21.63 ± 1.19 years. There was no statistically significant difference in students' attitudes toward organ donation after peer education (P > .05). The difference in the number of students having a donor card after peer education was highly significant (P < .05). ConclusionsThese study results showed that peer training did not positively change nursing students' attitudes toward organ donation but encouraged them to acquire a donor card and increased their knowledge of the organ donation system.

Measuring Critical Care Providers' Attitudes About Controlled Donation After Circulatory Death.

Unfavorable attitudes and insufficient knowledge about donation after cardiac death among critical care providers can have important consequences for the appropriate identification of potential donors, consistent implementation of donation after cardiac death policies, and relative strength of support for this type of donation. The lack of reliable and valid assessment measures has hampered research to capture providers' attitudes. Design and Research Aims: Using stakeholder engagement and an iterative process, we developed a questionnaire to measure attitudes of donation after cardiac death in critical care providers (n = 112) and examined its psychometric properties. Exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, and validity analyses were conducted to examine the measure. A 34-item questionnaire consisting of 4 factors (Personal Comfort, Process Satisfaction, Family Comfort, and System Trust) provided the most parsimonious fit. Internal consistency was acceptable for each of the subscales and the total questionnaire (Cronbach α > .70). A strong association between more favorable attitudes overall and knowledge ( r = .43, P < .001) provides evidence of convergent validity. Multivariable regression analyses showed that white race ( P = .002) and more experience with donation after cardiac death ( P < .001) were significant predictors of more favorable attitudes. Study findings support the utility, reliability, and validity of a questionnaire for measuring attitudes in critical care providers and for isolating targets for additional education on donation after cardiac death.

Attitudes of sperm, egg and embryo donors and recipients towards genetic information and screening of donors

BackgroundGamete and embryo donors undergo genetic screening procedures in order to maximise the health of donor-conceived offspring. In the era of genomic medicine, expanded genetic screening may be offered to donors for the purpose of avoiding transmission of harmful genetic mutations. The objective of this study was to explore the attitudes of donors and recipients toward the expanded genetic screening of donors.MethodsQualitative interview study with thematic analysis, undertaken in a tertiary fertility centre. Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with eleven recipients and nine donors from three different cohorts (sperm, egg and embryo donors/recipients).ResultsDonors and recipients acknowledged the importance of genetic information and were comfortable with the existing level of genetic screening of donors. Recipients recognised some potential benefits of expanded genetic screening of donors; however both recipients and donors were apprehensive about extended genomic technologies, with concerns about how this information would be used and the ethics of genetic selectivity.ConclusionParticipants in donor programs support some level of genetic screening of donors, but are wary of expanding genetic screening beyond current levels.

Mediating Effect of Donation Motivation between Self-esteem and Donation Attitude of Adolescents

Mediating Effect of Donation Motivation between Self-esteem and Donation Attitude of Adolescents

Assessment and effects of self-esteem on organ donation attitudes among medical residents

Assessment and effects of self-esteem on organ donation attitudes among medical residents

The effects of a culturally-tailored campaign to increase blood donation knowledge, attitudes and intentions among African migrants in two Australian States: Victoria and South Australia.

Research suggests that African migrants are often positively predisposed towards blood donation, but are under-represented in participation. A culturally-tailored intervention targeting the African migrant community in Australia was developed and implemented, to enhance knowledge about blood donation, improve attitudes towards donating, increase intentions to donate blood, and increase the number of new African donors in Australia. Four weeks after a targeted campaign, a survey evaluation process commenced, administered face-to-face by bilingual interviewers from the African community in Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia (community survey). The questionnaires covered demographics, campaign awareness, blood donation knowledge and intentions, medical mistrust and perceived discrimination, and were analysed to evaluate changes in knowledge and intention. Sixty-two percent of survey participants (n = 454) reported being aware of the campaign. With increasing campaign awareness, there was a 0.28 increase in knowledge score (p = .005); previous blood donation was also associated with an increased blood donation knowledge score. Blood donation intention scores were not associated with campaign awareness (p = 0.272), but were associated with previous blood donation behaviour and a positive blood donation attitude score. More positive scores on the blood donation attitude measure were associated with increasing blood donation intentions, self-efficacy and campaign awareness (score increases of 0.27, 0.30 and 0.04, respectively, all p<0.05). Data were collected on the ethnicity of new blood donors in six blood collection centres before and after the intervention, and independent of the intervention evaluation survey. These data were also used to assess behavioural changes and the proportions of donors from different countries before and after the survey. There was no difference in the number of new African migrant donors, before and after the intervention. The culturally-relevant marketing campaign was associated with improved blood donation knowledge and attitudes, but there was no short-term change in blood donation intentions or the number of African donors.

Donor and Recipient Perspectives on Anonymity in Kidney Donation From Live Donors: A Multicenter Survey Study

Maintaining anonymity is a requirement in the Netherlands and Sweden for kidney donation from live donors in the context of nondirected (or unspecified) and paired exchange (or specified indirect) donation. Despite this policy, some donors and recipients express the desire to know one another. Little empirical evidence informs the debate on anonymity. This study explored the experiences, preferences, and attitudes of donors and recipients toward anonymity. Retrospective observational multicenter study using both qualitative and quantitative methods. 414 participants from Dutch and Swedish transplantation centers who received or donated a kidney anonymously (nondirected or paired exchange) completed aquestionnaire about anonymity. Participation was a median of 31 months after surgery. Country of residence, donor/recipient status, transplant type, time since surgery. Experiences, preferences, and attitudes toward anonymity. Most participants were satisfied with their experience of anonymity before and after surgery. A minority would have liked to have met the other party before (donors, 7%; recipients, 15%) or after (donors, 22%; recipients, 31%) surgery. Significantly more recipients than donors wanted to meet the other party. Most study participants were open to meeting the other party if the desire was mutual (donors, 58%; recipients, 60%). Donors agree significantly more with the principle of anonymity before and after surgery than recipients. Donors and recipients thought that if both parties agreed, it should be permissible to meet before or after surgery. There were few associations between country or time since surgery and experiences or attitudes. The pros and cons of anonymity reported by participants were clustered into relational and emotional, ethical, and practical and logistical domains. The relatively low response rate of recipients may have reduced generalizability. Recall bias was possible given the time lag between transplantation and data collection. This exploratory study illustrated that although donors and recipients were usually satisfied with anonymity, the majority viewed a strict policy on anonymity as unnecessary. These results may inform policy and education on anonymity.

TOO WEAK TO INFLUENCE? A CASE STUDY OF THE LITHUANIAN NGDOs IN FOREIGN AID POLICY MAKING

For the East Central European Countries (ECE), the membership in the European Union also meant an entry into the foreign aid donor community. To understand the international development policy change in over a decade and a policy divergence among the ECE countries that have started from relatively similar situations, this article offers the case study of Lithuania and the analysis of domestic policy actors, namely the non-governmental development organizations (NGDOs) as one of the policy change facilitating factors. It provides an empirically-rich account of how Lithuanian NGDOs participate in the national foreign aid policymaking and explains factors that affect Lithuanian NGDOs’ capacity to influence government decisions. Szent-Ivanyi’s and Lightfoot’s theoretical model guided the analysis of the Lithuanian NGDOs umbrella organisations composition and power relations, their organizational capacities, foreign donor assistance and attitudes of the state actors. The article concludes the limited, yet increasing Lithuanian NGDOs’ role in shaping Lithuanian foreign aid policies, as undermined as they are by the chronic lack of resources to fund advocacy from national sources and the dependency on the EU project-based funding. Consequently, these circumstances constrain the NGDO Platforms’ focus mostly on the EU development agenda and therefore mimic the European NGO networks’ policy agenda. The lack of capacities among the NGDOs to adapt a European policy agenda to the national foreign aid policy reality makes it of limited relevance to the policy makers domestically.

Attitudes of the Third-Year Nursing Students Toward Organ Donation: Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundHealth professionals can affect attitudes toward organ donation in society; therefore, priority should be given to exploration of attitudes of nursing students as important prospective members of the health profession. The goal of this study was to assess nursing students' attitudes and volunteerism toward organ donation. MethodsThis descriptive study was performed on 240 third-year nursing students in Turkey between February 2016 and April 2016. Purposive sampling and a cross-sectional survey were used. Data were collected by using the Organ Donation Attitudes Scale, a valid and reliable instrument for determining attitudes toward organ donation in Turkey. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and ratio), and correlation analyses were used. ResultsThe mean age of the students, more than one half of whom were female (84.83%), was 21.63 ± 1.19 years. The students achieved mean scores of 105.84 ± 12.61 and 45.91 ± 15.74 for positive and negative items, respectively, on the Organ Donation Attitudes Scale. The positive items focus on humanity and moral conviction, and the negative items focus on fears of medical neglect and fears of bodily mutilation. The mean scores for humanity and moral conviction, fears of medical neglect, and fears of bodily mutilation were 105.84 ± 12.61, 22.58 ± 9.25, and 23.32 ± 8.66. ConclusionsThe students displayed positive attitudes toward organ donation and volunteerism. They may have humanitarian and charitable feelings about organ donation but hesitate to commit because of their fear of bodily mutilation and fears of medical neglect.

Motivations and attitudes of candidate sperm donors in Belgium

To study the motivation and attitudes of a candidate sperm donor population in Belgium. Anonymous survey. Tertiary referral infertility center. One hundred candidate sperm donors applying to the center for a first semen analysis between April 2013 and March2016. Invitation to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Demographic characteristics, recruitment methods, motivations and attitudes toward payment, donor anonymity, disclosure to offspring, donation to lesbian couples and single women, views on the donor children and social aspects of sperm donation. The majority of our candidate donor population were older men with a partner who were donating sperm for altruistic reasons. The financial compensation was only an important motivational factor in 31% of the candidate sperm donors. Eighty-two percent of the men said they were willing to reveal nonidentifying information about themselves to donor offspring, but only 26% were willing to donate nonanonymously. The wish to receive certain information about the recipient family and the donor offspring was linked to men who had a partner and a child of their own. The wish to receive and donate information depends on the characteristics and beliefs of the candidate donors. Also, the donor's characteristics were linked to the acceptance of meeting the offspring in the future: the donors with a partner and donors who said they would donate without financial reimbursement were less willing to meet the donor offspring.

Organ Donation Attitudes and Behaviors among Older Hispanic Women and Hispanic Community Health Workers

Organ Donation Attitudes and Behaviors among Older Hispanic Women and Hispanic Community Health Workers

Organ Donation Registration and Decision-Making Among Current Blood Donors in the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands, there is a constant shortage in donor organs, resulting in long waiting lists. The decision to register as organ donor is associated with several demographic, cultural, and personal factors. Previous research on attitudes and motivations toward blood and organ donations provided similar results. The current study investigated demographic, cultural, and personal determinants of organ donation registration among current Dutch blood donors. We used data from Donor InSight (2012; N = 20 063), a cohort study among Dutch blood donors, to test whether age, gender, religious and political preferences, donor attitude, and altruism predicted organ donor registration among current blood donors. Organ donors were more often represented in the blood donor population compared to the general Dutch population. Women showed a higher propensity to be registered as organ donor. Higher education as well as higher prosocial value orientation, prosocial behavior, that is, doing volunteer work, and awareness of need significantly associated with being registered as organ donor. Religious denomination negatively predicted organ donation registration across all faiths. Results are discussed in light of cultural context, and possible implications for improving information provision and recruitment are mentioned.