Psychosocial Profile of the Attitude Toward Family Organ Donation in People Older Than 65 Years

Beatriz Febrero; María Iniesta; Javier Almela-Baeza; Inmaculada Ros-Madrid; Laura Martínez-Alarcón; Pablo Ramírez

doi:10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.09.011

Psychosocial Profile of the Attitude Toward Family Organ Donation in People Older Than 65 Years

Transplant Proc. 2023 Oct 27:S0041-1345(23)00600-0. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.09.011. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Beatriz Febrero¹, María Iniesta¹, Javier Almela-Baeza², Inmaculada Ros-Madrid³, Laura Martínez-Alarcón¹, Pablo Ramírez¹

Affiliations

¹ General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain; Instituto Murciano de Investigaciones Biosanitaria IMIB-Arrixaca. Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
² Faculty of Communication and Documentation, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: javier.almela@um.es.
³ Instituto Murciano de Investigaciones Biosanitaria IMIB-Arrixaca. Murcia, Spain.

PMID: 39492064
DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.09.011

Abstract

Background: The population over 65 years of age is key in the decision to donate organs in its different aspects. We sought to analyze the attitude toward organ donation from a relative among people over 65 years of age and to determine the psychosocial variables that may influence their attitude.

Methods: The study population consisted of citizens over 65 years of age. A representative sample was obtained in southeastern Spain (N = 420). A questionnaire about attitudes toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) was used. Several psycho-social variables were also taken into account. Statistical analysis included the χ² test and multivariate analysis.

Results: The completion rate was 84% (n = 351). The favorable attitude toward organ donation from a relative was 53% (n = 184). The univariate analysis showed the influence of information variables, conversations on the subject with family and friends, meeting a donor, acceptance of cremation and autopsy, not being afraid of scars after donation, and carrying out prosocial activities (P < .05). In the multivariate analysis, the desire to carry out activities related to the ODT (odds ratio [OR] 2.06) and the favorable opinion of the partner (OR 3.72) persisted.

Conclusions: The attitude of older people toward organ donation from a relative is unfavorable. This attitude is influenced by various factors, including dialogue with family and friends and the fact that the partner has a favorable opinion regarding this issue. It is important to carry out training activities on ODT in this group in order not to have a negative impact on organ donation rates in the coming years.