title: Difficulties in organ procurement and transplantation in the aboriginal minority people in Taiwan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aboriginal people (AP) are a minority group in Taiwan. Little information on their perspectives on organ transplantation (OT) is available. Their rights for organ donation (OD) and as OT recipients (OTR) are constrained as a vulnerable population in society. This research sought to explore various Highland Aborigine Tribes beliefs systems and concepts related to OT.
  
  
  METHODS
  We employed a qualitative design on a purposive sample including seven categories of Taiwanese AP. Data collected by face-to-face interviews were evaluated by content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-five informants (45 female and 30 males) of 18 to 82 years from seven tribes completed interviews: Bunun (n = 20), Shao (n = 18), Tsou (n = 15), Amis (n = 12), Truku (n = 4), Rukai (n = 3), and Puyuma (n = 3). Of there, 33% had no idea of OT. All informants reported lack of knowledge of OD, organ procurement, and OTR. Eighty percent (45-82 years) had no willingness for OD or OTR; others might consult family members and health professionals (HP) to learn about OT. Seven hindering factors were identified: (1) having no background of OT; (2) limited impressions obtained from television news reports; (3) negative concepts of donating one's organs to others; (4) OT concepts contrast with cultural meanings of death; (5) possibility of being stigmatized; (6) fear of being rejected by others; and (7) HP had never mentioned OT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taiwan APs' perspectives of OT concepts showed the majority to be unfamiliar with the concept and benefits of OT. Future research is necessary to explore the possible avenues to facilitate communications between HP and AP leaders, as well as elders in each AP category in Taiwan.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical & Community Health Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: F Jong
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054525:Minority Health / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D013240:Stereotyping; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult