Attitude of primary care nurses toward living kidney donation

Nursing is a fundamental service in caring for the health of the public. The opinion of nurses toward a certain type of donation may have a strong population impact. In this respect, living kidney donation is increasing in Spain; it is important to raise awareness at all levels. The objective here was to analyze the attitudes of primary care nursing personnel toward living kidney donation and to their determinants.

A random sample of primary care nurses stratified by geographical location (six health areas in our community), included 139 nurses from 32 health centres. Attitudes toward living donation were evaluated using a questionnaire with various psychosocial variables. For the distribution of the questionnaires, contact was made with the nursing coordinator in each centre. They were completed anonymously. The chi-squared test and Student's t test were applied.

The attitudes toward living kidney donation were favorable in 93% of those questioned (n = 129), mainly when the donation is related (78%, n = 109). Only one nurse was against the idea of donating a kidney from a living person (1%); nine had doubts about this kind of donation (7%). Seventy-six percent (n = 106) have cared for patients awaiting a transplant; however, no relationship was found with attitude toward this type of donation (P = .209). Of all analyzed variables, there was only a significant relationship with concern about possible body mutilation (P < .0005) and partner's opinion about the matter (P < .0005). We wish to highlight that no relationship was found with attitudes toward cadaveric organ donation (P = .712).

Attitudes of primary care nursing personnel toward living kidney donation were favorable, especially if it was related donation.