Attitude Toward Organ Donation in the Population of Cienfuegos,Cuba

Introduction

The sensitization of the population toward organ donation is fundamental; for that reason, it is important to determine the factors that condition the opinion toward donation on the population scope in order to carry out cost-effective campaigns.

Objective

To analyze the attitude toward the donation of the proper organs for transplantation among the population residing in Cienfuegos, Cuba.

Method

Population under study: Population who reside in Cienfuegos, Cuba. Inclusion criteria: Population over 15 years old as stratified by age and sex. Assessment instrument: The attitude questionnaire for organ donation for transplant—PCID–DTO Ríos. Fieldwork: A random selection based on stratification. The available data from the census were used. The completion was anonymous and self-administered. Verbal consent was requested to collaborate in the study. Statistics: Student t test, χ², Fisher, and a logistic regression analysis.

Results

A sample of 636 respondents was included in the study, of which 71% (n = 453) are in favor of donating their organs after death, 16% (n = 103) are against, and 13% (n = 80) are undecided. This attitude is associated with different psychosocial variables (P < .001): age, marital status, having offspring, level of studies, carrying out prosocial activities, discussing with the family the subject of donation and transplantation, knowledge of the concept of brain death, the attitude toward the manipulation of the corpse, the religion of the respondent, and the attitude of the couple toward organ transplantation. The main independent factors obtained in the multivariate analysis (odds ratio >2.5): knowledge of the brain death concept, attitude toward the manipulation of the corpse, religion, and attitude of the couple toward transplantation.

Conclusions

The attitude toward organ donation among the population of Cienfuegos, Cuba, is favorable and is conditioned by several psychosocial factors.