Level of acceptance of a clinical solid organ xenotransplantation program among personnel in organ transplant-related services in Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban hospital centers.
BACKGROUND
Xenotransplantation is far from becoming a clinical reality. However, in vital organs it could be used as a bridge until a human organ becomes available, in an emergency situation. We analyzed the attitude toward xenotransplantation among personnel in transplant-related services in several hospitals in Spain and Latin America.


METHODS
A random sample stratified by type of service and job category (n = 738), in transplant-related services (procurement units, transplant units, and transplant patient follow-up units) was examined in eight hospital centers from three different countries: Spain (n = 349), Mexico (n = 269), and Cuba (n = 120). A self-administered validated questionnaire was completed anonymously.


RESULTS
Based on the assumption that all the results of xenotransplantation were similar to those achieved with human donors, most respondents [66% (n = 484)] would be in favor. The employees from Cuban centers had the most favorable attitudes (72% in favor), followed by the Spanish (64%) and the Mexicans (61%; P = .013). However, the differences were mainly determined by job category: Physicians showed the most favorable attitudes and auxiliary staff the least (67% vs 40%; P = .010). Attitudes were significantly related to beliefs about different types of human donation [deceased (P < .001) and living (P < .001)], the possibility of needing a transplant for oneself (P < .001), and a favorable attitude toward donating the organs of a deceased family member (P = .004).


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, a third of health care employees working in transplant-related services are not in favor of xenotransplantation. More information should be provided about the subject, especially in centers with preclinical xenotransplantation programs.
Ríos
A
A
Departamento de Cirugía, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Servicio Murciano de Salud, Murcia, España.
Martínez-Alarcón
L
L
Ayala-García
M A
MA
Sebastián
M J
MJ
Abdo-Cuza
A
A
López-Navas
A
A
López-López
A
A
Ramírez
E J
EJ
Muñoz
G
G
Camacho
A
A
Suárez-López
J
J
Castellanos
R
R
Rodríguez
J S
JS
Martínez
M A
MA
Nieto
A
A
Ramis
G
G
Ramírez
P
P
Parrilla
P
P
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002102:Cadaver; D003462:Cuba; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D008800:Mexico; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014180:Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000523:psychology*