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


METHODS
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.


METHODS
a sample of 2000 Spanish citizens.


RESULTS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Ríos
A
A
Coordinación Regional de Trasplantes de la Comunidad Autónoma de Murcia, Consejería de Sanidad, Murcia, Spain.
Martínez-Alarcón
L
L
Sánchez
J
J
Jarvis
N
N
Parrilla
P
P
Ramírez
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude / Q000208:ethnology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D011639:Public Opinion; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult