title: Attitude toward living kidney donation: differences between students from two Spanish universities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Due to the current deficit of organs for transplantation, living kidney related donations (LKRD) should be promoted. Veterinarians often hold decision-making positions in the public health care system, and therefore can influence public opinion about organ donation. The objective was to analyze the attitude of Spanish veterinary students toward LKRD because they may influence public opinion in the future, and to determine the factors that condition it.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out among fifth-year veterinary science students from 2 southern and southeastern Spanish universities. The students' attitude toward LKRD was assessed using a psychosocial, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Statistics used were χ(2) test and Student t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from the southern Spain university included a response rate of 87%. The survey showed that 94% of respondents would donate a kidney to a relative who needed it. This attitude toward LKRD was more favorable in women (P < .001) and in those who had discussed the subject with their families (P = .003). Nevertheless, only 58% would accept a kidney from a family member. Data from the southeastern Spain university included a response rate of 97%: 97% of the respondents would donate a kidney to a relative who needed it. This attitude was not associated with any psychosocial variables. However, only 58% would accept a kidney from a relative. There are no differences between the 2 universities (P = .879).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the attitude of veterinary students from southern and southeastern Spain toward LKRD was very favorable and there are no differences between them, only 58% of the students would accept an organ from a relative.
authors: Department of Surgery, Transplant Unit, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain; Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Murcia, Spain; International Collaborative Donor Project, Murcia, Spain.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Martínez-Alarcón
authors: Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Murcia, Spain; International Collaborative Donor Project, Murcia, Spain; Department of Animal Production, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Ramis
authors: Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas, University of Cordoba, Spain.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Gómez-Laguna
authors: Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Quereda
authors: Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Herrero-Medrano
authors: Department of Immunology, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mrowiec
authors: Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiania, Brazil.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Mendonça
authors: International Collaborative Donor Project, Murcia, Spain; Department of Psychology, UCAM, San Antonio Catholic University, Murcia, Spain.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: López-Navas
authors: Department of Surgery, Transplant Unit, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain; Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Murcia, Spain; International Collaborative Donor Project, Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: arzrios@um.es.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ríos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D004520:Education, Veterinary; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011639:Public Opinion; D013030:Spain; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D014495:Universities; D014730:Veterinary Medicine