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

Abstract

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.

• Attitude
• hospital personnel
• living kidney donation
• transplant-related services

Contribution to the study by the authors

1. Conception and design: Ríos A

2. Acquisition of a subtantial portion of data: Ríos A, López-Navas A, Ayala-García MA, Sebastián MJ, Abdo-Cuza A, Martínez-Alarcón L, Ramírez EJ, Muñoz G, Suárez-López J, Castellanos R, Ramírez R, González B, Martínez MA, Díaz E, Palacios G

3. Analysis and interpretation of data: Ríos A, López-Navas A, Ayala-García MA, Sebastián MJ, Abdo-Cuza A, Alán J, Ramírez P, Parrilla P

4. Drafting of the manuscript: Ríos A

5. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Ríos A, López-Navas A, Ayala-García MA, Sebastián MJ, Abdo-Cuza A

6. Statistical expertise: Ríos A, López-Navas A

7. Obtaining funding for this project or study: Ríos A

8. Supervision: Ríos A, López-Navas A

9. Final approval of the version to be published: Ríos A, López-Navas A, Ayala-García MA, Sebastián MJ, Abdo-Cuza A, Alán J, Martínez-Alarcón L, Ramírez EJ, Muñoz G, Suárez-López J, Castellanos R, Ramírez R, González B, Martínez MA, Díaz E, Ramírez P, Parrilla P