Attitudes to kidney donation and registering as a donor among ethnic groups in the UK

Abstract

Background: Kidney organ donation rates continue to be low among ethnic minorities, leading to disproportionate numbers awaiting transplants, longer waiting times and problems of tissue matching.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was undertaken based on a convenience sample of general practice attenders to examine knowledge and attitudes to organ donation among ethnic groups. Responses were analysed using logistic regression for seven ethnic groups, controlling for age, gender and education.

Results: About 1606 (84.4%) of people approached agreed to participate, and 1536 (95.7%) questionnaires were fully completed. High proportions of all ethnic groups were aware of the possibility of leaving kidneys for transplant, and ethnic minorities were significantly more aware of the urgent need for donors. However, negative attitudes to organ donation involved multiple issues rather than a single barrier, including worries that their organs may be used for other purposes such as medical research, a lack of confidence that medical teams would try as hard to save the life of a donor, concerns about leaving the body 'intact' after death and questioning the value being a donor.

Conclusions: Low rates of registration as a kidney donor among ethnic minorities are not explained by specific cultural or religious barriers. More adequate explanations require a broader focus and greater understanding of ways in which self-identity as a minority group, cultural and religious beliefs and practices, and the social capital of communities, interact to shape responses.