Evaluation of an organ-donor-card campaign in Sweden

One of the aims of this study was to evaluate an information campaign carried out in three geographical areas of Sweden in the winter of 1992-93. The campaign was intended to increase public awareness of organ donation and to increase the signing of donor cards. Another objective was to test the effects of different kinds of information. These were: A) an extensive "package" of information including training of key groups, lecturing at meetings and exhibitions, and advertisements of donor cards: B) a brochure to households including two donor cards; and C) a combination of A and B. Yet another aim was to reassess public opinion on transplantation issues, which had been surveyed before in 1987, 1988, and 1990. Random samples of the population in three campaign areas and a control sample were surveyed before and after the campaign, altogether 5600 persons. The average response rate was 69% (1992) and 68% (1993). In the two areas where the brochure had been distributed to the households, the rate of donor card holders had more than doubled (from 3% and 5% to 13% and 12%). In the two areas where the brochure had not been distributed, the rate was unchanged (5%). In the "brochure areas" also a somewhat larger number of people had informed their relatives about their decisions, compared with people in the other areas. In all campaign areas considerably more people were aware of the cards than in the control area. No attitude changes could be shown in any area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)