Predictors of organ donation behavior among Hispanic Americans

Abstract

Context: Hispanic Americans have a substantial need for organ transplants and are underrepresented among organ donors, yet little is known about predictors of organ donation outcomes in this population.

Objective: To assess factors that may function as significant predictors of organ donation behavior among Hispanic Americans.

Design: A random-digit-dial computer-assisted telephone-interview survey. Setting-Pima and Maricopa counties in Arizona.

Participants: 1200 Hispanic Americans.

Main outcome measures: Family discussion of organ donation and willingness to be an organ donor.

Results: Significant predictors of family discussion of organ donation include knowing someone willing to be an organ donor and disagreeing that carrying a donor card results in inadequate medical care. Willingness to be a donor is also predictive of family discussion. Significant predictors of willingness to be an organ donor are knowing someone willing to be an organ donor, being female, and disagreeing that thoughts about donation leads to thoughts about one's own mortality. Having a family discussion about organ donation is also predictive of willingness to be an organ donor.

Conclusion: The data provide a springboard for larger studies encompassing the diversity and geographical dispersion of Hispanic Americans. The data also highlight the importance of educational efforts to make Hispanic Americans aware of people in their community who have donated in the past or who are now potential donors.