Attitudes of black South Africans concerning organ donation.
The availability of donor organs was analyzed following the placement of a transplant coordinator in Ga-Rankuwa Hospital's kidney transplant program. From February 1, 1992, to January 6, 1994, 44 brain-dead potential donors were identified. In 20 of those cases, relatives could not be reached to acquire consent for donation of cadaveric organs. In the remaining 24 cases, an intensive care resident together with a transplant coordinator obtained consent for 9 potential donors. Over the same period, 119 (80%) of living-related potential donors who had been approached stated that they were willing to donate a kidney. This outcome suggests that among blacks, altruism is a positive factor for acquiring consent for organ donation. Public education is required to correct ignorance, misconception, and cultural beliefs regarding cadaveric donation.
Ndlovu
S R
SR
Medical University of Southern Africa, Medunsa, South Africa.
Kobryn
A
A
Modiba
M C
MC
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000533:Altruism; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D044383:Black People; D001926:Brain Death; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology*