Knowledge of Brain Death Among the Nigerian Residents in Spain

Abstract

Introduction: The Nigerian population, an emerging group in Europe, has not been studied in terms of its knowledge of the concept of brain death (BD) and its relationship with organ donation and transplantation (ODT).

Objective: To analyze knowledge of the BD concept among Nigerians living in Spain.

Method: A sample of Nigerians who are ≥15 years of age and living in Spain were stratified by age and sex and interviewed. The assessment instrument is the attitude questionnaire for donation and transplantation, Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante sobre Donación y Trasplante de Órgano (in Spanish) Ríos, which was self-administered and anonymously completed. The statistics used were descriptive, χ² test, Student t test, and a logistic regression analysis.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 362 Nigerians. Eighteen percent (n = 66) know the concept of BD and accept it as a person's death. Of the rest, 58% (n = 210) do not know it and 24% (n = 86) have a misconception. Those who know the BD concept have a more favorable attitude toward organ donation after death than those who do not know it (29% vs 13%, P < .001). Couples' opinions about organ donation (P < .001) and level of studies (P = .039) are related to the knowledge of the BD concept. In the multivariate analysis, the following persist as independent variables: the attitude in favor (P < .001, OR = 3.925) and the opinion of the couples toward donation (P <. 001, OR = 6.776).

Conclusions: Knowledge of the BD concept is anecdotal among the Nigerian population in Spain.