title: Using body donor demographics to assist the implementation of donation programs in Brazil.
abstract: The use of human material in anatomy education depends upon the generosity of body donors. However, little is known regarding the demographics of body donors in Brazil, where voluntary body donation is a relatively rare phenomenon. Hence, the aim of the present study was to elucidate the demographic profile of applicants to the Body Donation Program (BDP) at the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre in Brazil, as well as to assess whether the observed characteristics of body donors are unique to that sample, or if they merely reflect the characteristics of the regional population. Information derived from the specific forms filled out by donors between January 2008 and June 2016 at the time of registration were collected. Data from 416 forms were analyzed. Based on this study, the typical applicant in Brazil is typically a white female (67.4%), over 60 years of age (60.3%), unmarried or single (70.6%), affiliated with a religious group (89.1%), of middle class background (40.4%), who has completed high school and/or holds a university degree (93.8%). The motivation of donors was, in most cases, an altruistic gesture, represented by the desire to help society and science. Elucidating these demographic characteristics of potential donors may help identify the target public to which information regarding body donation campaigns could be directed. Anat Sci Educ 10: 475-486. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andrea Oxley
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: da Rocha
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Deivis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Campos
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco Aurélio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriel Sartori
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Pacini
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marina Cornelli
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Girotto
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Clinic, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arlete
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hilbig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000533:Altruism; D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D001938:Brazil; D002102:Cadaver; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D004210:Dissection / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anatomical donor programs; bequest programs; body donation; donor profile; gross anatomy education; medical education; undergraduate education