title: Public attitudes to organ donation in South Africa.
abstract: Public attitudes to organ donation may be influenced by cultural beliefs as well as racial prejudices and superstitions. In South Africa we are able to examine these issues from both a First- and a Third-World perspective. In this study the attitudes of 1 299 urban white, 625 rural black and 826 urban black South Africans were examined. Eighty-nine per cent of white, 84% of rural black and 76% of urban black South Africans are prepared to donate their own organs. All groups are less willing to donate the organs of close relatives (76% white, 76% rural black and 67% urban black). Most people felt that this decision should be made by the person before death. Most black people (88%) felt that the race of both donor and recipient were irrelevant. Only 23% of black people were prepared to donate their corneas, compared with the 69% and 70% willing to donate their kidneys and heart respectively.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Unit, Groote Schuur Hospital.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Pike
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Odell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kahn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018594:Human Body; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000639:trends*; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology