The quest for favourable subgroups to encourage living kidney donation in Spain. An attitudinal study among British and Irish citizens resident in southeastern Spain.

MAIN PROBLEM

There is an increasing presence of a population of British and Irish origin in southeastern Spain.

HYPOTHESIS

this population native from countries with higher rates of living kidney donation than Spain will be very much in favour of related living kidney donation.

OBJECTIVE

to analyse the attitude of this population subgroup towards living kidney donation.

METHODS

Between November 2005 and April 2006, a random sample was taken of British and Irish residents in southeastern Spain (n = 1700) and stratified by the respondent's nationality. Attitude was evaluated using a validated questionnaire that was completed anonymously and self-administered.

RESULTS

The questionnaire completion rate was 90% (n = 1533). Ninety percent (n = 1384) are in favour of related living kidney donation, 9% (n = 138) are against and the remaining 1% (n = 11) are unsure. The following variables are related to attitude towards living kidney donation: (1) attitude towards cadaveric organ donation (P < 0.001); (2) having previous experience with the donation and transplantation process (P = 0.001); (3) participation in social help activities (P = 0.010); (4) having spoken about the matter within the family unit (P = 0.036); (5) the attitude of a respondent's partner towards the matter (P = 0.001); (6) knowing that one's own religion is in favour of this type of therapy (P = 0.002); (7) evaluation of the risks involved in this kind of donation (P < 0.001) and (8) concern about 'mutilation' after donation (P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, two variables are significantly related to this attitude: a negative attitude towards cadaveric donation (odds ratio = 0.309) and knowing that one's religion is in favour (OR = 1.745).

CONCLUSIONS

The attitude of British and Irish citizens who are resident in southeastern Spain is very favourable and their attitude is very closely related to attitude towards cadaveric donation, family attitude and the attitude of their religion. The patients on the waiting list who are of British or Irish origin would be an ideal group to whom living kidney donation could be offered.