The New Age of Organ Donation—What Factors Have an Influence on the Attitude of Older People? An Attitudinal Survey in Southeastern Spain

Beatriz Febrero, Javier Almela-Baeza, Inmaculada Ros-Madrid, José Alfonso Arias, Juan José Ruiz-Manzanera, María Isabel Jiménez-Mascuñán and Pablo Ramírez
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Beatriz Febrero: General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital, 30120 Murcia, Spain
Javier Almela-Baeza: Faculty of Communication and Documentation, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Inmaculada Ros-Madrid: Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain
José Alfonso Arias: Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain
Juan José Ruiz-Manzanera: General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital, 30120 Murcia, Spain
María Isabel Jiménez-Mascuñán: General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital, 30120 Murcia, Spain
Pablo Ramírez: General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital, 30120 Murcia, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: Currently, more than half of all donors are aged over 65 years, and previous studies have shown that this group is less willing to support organ donation. Objective: to analyse the attitude of people aged over 65 years toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) and to determine how their psychosocial profile affects their attitude. Study population: citizens residing in southeastern Spain older than 65 years of age. A representative sample was obtained, which was stratified by gender and geographical location (n = 420). A validated questionnaire about ODT was used. Statistical analysis: a bivariate analysis was performed using the X2 test and a multivariate analysis. The favourable attitude toward the donation of one’s own organs was 53%. The psychosocial variables affecting attitude were mainly: having discussed ODT with one’s family ( p < 0.001) or friends (OR 2.223), acceptance of cremation (OR 2.508), and acceptance of an autopsy (OR 2.578). Citizens aged over 65 tend to have an unfavourable attitude toward the donation of their own organs. The lack of dialogue about ODT in social and family settings, and the attitude to the manipulation of one’s own body after death, are aspects of a respondent’s psychosocial profile, which influence this attitude.

Keywords: organ donation; attitudes; elderly; transplant; communication; social interaction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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