German citizens in southeastern Spain: a study of attitude toward organ donation

Spain is frequently a place of residence for a high percentage of the German population. Our aim is to analyze the attitude of the German population that is resident in Spain toward organ donation.

A sample of German residents in the south east of Spain was obtained randomly between November 2005 and April 2006 (n = 227). Attitude was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. This survey was self-administered and completed anonymously.

a sample of 2000 Spanish citizens.

There is a favorable attitude toward donation in 64% of respondents, similar to the control group (64% vs. 63%; p = 0.8545). The most important factors that affect such attitude are: (i) having dependents (odds ratio = 4.569); (ii) having talked about donation within the family (OR = 4.132); (iii) being willing to accept an autopsy if one were necessary (OR = 5.952); (iv) having had previous experience of organ donation and transplantation (OR = 5.814); (v) not being concerned about mutilation of the cadaver (OR = 8.792); and (vi) the attitude of one's partner toward donation, especially when this is negative (OR = 0.002).

The attitude toward organ donation of Germans who usually reside in Spain is the same as that described in the native Spanish population, and is determined by many psychosocial factors.