The attitude toward living kidney donation among personnel from units related to donation and transplantation in Spain, Mexico and Cuba.

BACKGROUND

Living kidney donation (LKD) is becoming increasingly necessary as a treatment option for reducing the deficit in transplant organs. Hospital personnel in services related to donation and transplantation play a key role in promoting this kind of donation.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the attitude toward LKD among hospital workers in services related to donation and transplantation in Spain and Latin America.

METHODS

Eight hospitals in the "International Collaborative Donor Project" were selected (Spain-Mexico-Cuba). A random sample was taken which was stratified according to the type of service and job category, in transplant-related services.

RESULTS

Of the 878 respondents, 90% were in favor of related LKD, and 28% were in favor if the LKD was not related. Attitude was more favorable among Latin Americans workers compared to the Spanish (p=0.014). Other factors associated to attitude included: age (p=0.004); an attitude in favor of deceased donation and living liver donation (p<0.001); and acceptance of a kidney from a donor (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The attitude toward related LKD was very favorable among hospital personnel in units related to the donation and transplantation process in Spain and Latin America, which means that they could contribute to its promotion particularly at the current time when living kidney donation needs to be expanded.