Population study about the attitude toward organ xenotransplantation in the population from Eastern Europe resident in southeast Spain.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this paper is to analyze the attitude toward xenotransplantation and to determine the variables that influence this attitude in the population of southeast Spain who were born in Eastern European countries. METHODS: A random sample was taken of natives from Eastern Europe residing in southeast Spain (n=320). The sample was obtained randomly between November 2005 and April 2006 and stratified according to the respondents' nationality. Attitude was evaluated using a validated questionnaire which was self-administered and completed anonymously. The control group was a random sample of the native Spanish population (n=250). The statistical analysis used included Student's t-test, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The questionnaire completion rate was 83% (n=267). Regarding the use of animal organs for transplantation in humans, if the outcome were similar to that achieved when using human organs, 43% (n=114) would be in favor, 32% (n=86) undecided, and the remaining 25% (n=67) would be against it. This attitude is less favorable than in the control group (43% versus 74%, p<0.001). The attitude was related to the following factors: 1) the country of origin (p<0.001); 2) participation in social help activities (p<0.001); 3) discussion on organ donation and transplantation within the family (p=0.005); 4) previous experience of organ donation and transplantation (p=0.002); 5) the respondent's religion (p=0.002); 6) knowing that one's partner had a favorable attitude toward transplantation (p<0.001); 7) the respondent's belief that he or she might need a transplant in the future (p<0.001); 8) the attitude toward human donation, both from cadaver (p<0.001) and living (p<0.001) donors. The following were also independent variables in the subsequent multivariate analysis: 1) favorable attitude toward cadaver organ donation (OR=4.998); 2) previous experience of donation (0R=2.857); 3) partner's attitude against transplantation (OR=0.079); and 4) attitude toward living donation (OR=12. 703). CONCLUSIONS: The attitude toward xenotransplantation is less positive among Eastern Europeans living in Spain than in the native Spanish population and is influenced by many psychosocial factors that are mainly related to human organ donation.

Factors that influence the attitude of East European residents in Spain towards living kidney donation.

UNLABELLED: Emigration from East European (EE) countries into the South East of Spain (SES) is becoming more common. The objective of this study was to analyse the attitude towards living kidney donation in this group. A sample of residents (n = 320) in the SES who come from EE was obtained randomly and stratified by a respondent's nationality (November-05 to April-06). Attitude was evaluated using a validated questionnaire that was completed anonymously and was self-administered. CONTROL GROUP: native Spanish citizens. The questionnaire completion rate was 83% (n = 265). A total of 83% (n = 220) were in favor of related living donation. Attitude is similar to that of the urban control group (P = 0.0534) and more positive than that prevalent in the rural setting (P < 0.001). The variables that were related to attitude included: a respondent's marital status (P < 0.001); the country of origin (P = 0.014); attitude towards deceased donation (P < 0.001); having discussed the subject within the family (P < 0.001); a respondent's belief that he might need a transplant organ (P = 0.002) and concern about possible 'mutilation' after donation (P < 0.001). There is a favorable attitude towards related living kidney donation among EE who are resident in the SES and this attitude is closely related to attitude towards deceased donation, the attitude of one's family and feelings of reciprocity.

Attitude of the population of German origin in the south east of Spain toward living kidney donation. In search of favorable sub-groups for promoting living kidney donation in Spain.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing population of German origin living in the South East of Spain. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the attitude toward living kidney donation in this population subgroup. METHODS: A sample of German residents in the South East of Spain was taken randomly (n = 250) (November 2005-April 2006). Attitude was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. The survey was self-administered and completed anonymously. The control group comprised native Spanish citizens (n = 500). RESULTS: The questionnaire completion rate was 87% (n = 218). Most respondents (92%, n = 201) are in favor of living-related donation. The following variables are related to attitude to donation: (1) marital status of the respondent (p = 0.002); (2) level of education (p < 0.001); (3) attitude toward cadaveric donation (p = 0.005); (4) having had previous experience with the donation and transplantation process (p < 0.001); (5) the respondent's religion (p = 0.002); (6) the risk that they believe is involved in living kidney donation (p = 0.001), and (7) concern about 'mutilation' that could be caused by living donation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Attitude toward related living kidney donation of German residents in the South East of Spain is favorable and is closely related to attitude toward cadaveric donation, fear of the after-effects of this type of donation and religious attitude.