African Immigrants Living in Spain: Awareness Toward Organ Donation and the Need for Specific Awareness Campaigns

The African population is an important, growing population group in Spain. Our objective was to determine attitudes toward organ donation among the African population living in Spain and to determine factors influencing attitudes.

A population sample was taken of Africans residing in Spain, stratified by age and sex (n = 4145). Attitude was assessed using a validated questionnaire, which was self-administered and completed anonymously. Descriptive statistics, the chi-squared test, ttest, and logistic regression analysis were used for data analyses.

The questionnaire completion rate was 87% (n = 3618). Attitudes toward donation of one's own organs was favorable in 31% of respondents (n = 1112). Among the remaining respondents, attitude was unfavorable in 40% (n = 1458) and undecided in 29% (n = 1037). Multivariate analysis showed the following variables as being associated with attitude: (1) age (P < .001), (2) having descendents (P < .001), (3) education level (P < .001), (4) belief of respondent that he or she may need a transplant in the future (P = .001), (5) knowledge ofthe concept of brain death (P < .001), (6) attitude toward donation of a family member's organ (P < .001), (7) having spoken with one's family about donation and transplant (P < .001), (8) opinion of one's partner toward organ donation (P < .001), (9) respondent's religion (P < .001), (10) knowledge of the view of one's religion toward organ donation and transplant (P < .001), and (10) fear of possible mutilation of the body after donation (P < .001).

Attitudes toward donation of an individual's organs after death were negative among Africans living in Spain and may be related to psychosocial factors. This group should have priority for receiving organ donation awareness campaigns in Spain.