The attitude of Latin American immigrants in Florida (USA) towards deceased organ donation – a cross section cohort study

• Published in: Transplant international Vol. 30; no. 10; pp. 1020 - 1031
• Main Authors: Ríos, Antonio, López‐Navas, Ana Isabel, García, José Antonio, Garrido, Gregorio, Ayala‐García, Marco Antonio, Sebastián, María José, Hernandez, Antonio Miguel, Ramírez, Pablo, Parrilla, Pascual
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Frontiers Media SA 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; attitude; Attitudes; Autopsies; Autopsy; Blood & organ donations; Brain; Brain death; Cohort analysis; Cohort Studies; Colleges & universities; Cross-Sectional Studies; family; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice - ethnology; Hispanic Americans - psychology; Hispanic Americans - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Immigrants; Interpersonal Relations; Latin Americans; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; organ donation; Organs; Population; psychosocial factors; Religion; Sex; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Transplantation; Transplants & implants; USA; Young Adult; Florida; United States > US; USA; psychosocial factors; Latin Americans; family; organ donation; attitude; population
• ISSN: 0934-0874; 1432-2277; 1432-2277
• DOI: 10.1111/tri.12997

Summary The Latin American (LA) population resident in the USA is a growing subgroup of the population. To find out the structure of attitude towards organ donation in the LA population resident in Florida (USA). A sample was taken of LA residents in Florida, randomized and stratified by nationality, age and sex (n = 1524). Attitude was assessed using a validated questionnaire (PCID–DTO Rios) that was self‐completed anonymously. The survey completion rate was 95% (n = 1450). Attitude was favourable in 33% of respondents (n = 485), against in 40% (n = 575) and undecided in 27% (n = 390). The following variables were associated with a favourable attitude: country of origin (Dominican Republic; P = 0.038); sex (female; P < 0.001); marital status (married; P < 0.001); level of education (university; P < 0.001); previous experience of the subject (P < 0.001); considering the need for a transplant in the future (P < 0.001); understanding the concept of brain death (P = 0.003); attitude towards donating a family member's organs (P < 0.001); having discussed organ donation and transplantation with one's family (P < 0.001) or with one's partner (P < 0.001); participation in pro‐social type activities (P < 0.001); the respondent's religion (atheist–agnostic; P < 0.001); a respondent's knowledge of the attitude of his or her religion towards organ donation (P < 0.001); no concern about mutilation after donation (P < 0.001); acceptance of cremation (P < 0.001); burial (P < 0.001); and an autopsy if one were needed (P < 0.001). The attitude towards donation of LA in Florida is worse than that reported in the native population and is associated with certain psychosocial factors.