Analysis of the attitudes and motivations of the Spanish population towards organ donation after death

Abstract

Summary Starting with the relevance of the Spanish experience, this study analyses the population’s disposition towards organ donation after death by means of a representative survey of the adult Spanish population (N = 1206, estimated error ±2.87%, P < 0.05). Of the participants, 8.1% were declared donors, 59.3% were likely to donate, 14.5% were against donating and 18.1% did not know or did not respond; 87.3% would donate relative’s organs if the deceased favoured donation, 50.2% if the deceased’s wishes were unknown and 13.1% even if the deceased opposed donation. Among people who were favourable towards donation, the main motives expressed were the will to save other people’s lives, solidarity and knowing they might someday need a donation. The most important motives for not donating among participants who were against it were the fear of premature organ extraction, of premature pronouncement of death and of mutilation. Reticence to donate is associated with low socio‐economic and cultural level, advanced age and high religious commitment; it is also associated with a low perception of transplant efficacy, not directly knowing any transplanted people and the lack of qualified information. The results support diverse potentially effective strategies for promoting donation in the general population.

Factors related to attitudes toward organ donation after death in the immigrant population in Spain

“…The original instrument has been validated and used in diverse samples of general population in previous investigations (34,35). For this study, certain modifications were carried out and some new items were included on the basis of (i) the priorities expressed by those in charge of coordination and transplant of the National Organization of Transplants, (ii) the existing evidence in recent literature about the reasons and relevant variables for the decision to donate (6-10, 12, 15-17, 19, 20, 22-27, 29-45).…”

Twenty-four years after liver transplantation, the recipient becomes a body donor

“…There is also documented evidence that people who know or have contact with someone who has received or needed an organ transplant have a better attitude toward organ donation. 1,9 Similar donor attitudes have been reported for body donation for dissection. 7 The decision of a significant proportion of body donors (25%-33%) was influenced by having known somebody who had already donated or intended to donate his or her body for dissection.…”

“…Although organ donation is aimed at helping patients improve their medical condition, body donation is mainly done for research and educational purposes. Two recently published studies have demonstrated that the majority of motives for organ donation originate from the wish to save other people's lives, 1 whereas the main motivation for body donation is related to the wish to be useful after death. 2 Nevertheless, both types of donation represent anatomical gifts that are extremely valuable to society.…”

Mitos sobre la donación de órganos en personal de salud, potenciales receptores y familiares de potenciales donantes en un hospital peruano: estudio cualitativo

“…Incluso cuando ninguna religión se opone a la donación y, por el contrario, la consideran un acto libre y de generosidad hacia el prójimo. Así, el temor a ser mutilado o no participar de la resurrección compromete la decisión de ser donante (7,9,26,27,28) .…”