[Perception of kidney donation in Senegal and potential donors]

Introduction: The objective of this study was to explore the potential for kidney donation in the Senegalese population, as a prelude to a proposed kidney transplant from living donors.

Method: A survey of cross type, and descriptive analysis was conducted from June 15 to September 15, 2010 in Dakar (Senegal). A two-stage sampling was done. The data, collected on the basis of a questionnaire, were captured and analyzed with Epi Info software version 3.3.2 and R version 2.9.2.

Results: The study population comprised 400 people with 56.75% of men, a sex ratio of 1.3. The average age was 33.58±11 years. It consisted of people between 18 and 30 (48.5%), married (44.25%). The subjects surveyed were mostly Senegalese (91%), students and pupils (24%) and educated (86.75%). The questioned subjects heard of kidney failure (65%). They knew at least one person who died of renal failure or dialyzed respectively in 19% and 24% of cases. The respondents have heard of the graft (47.3%). They knew at least one grafted patient in 5%. The public has expressed a desire to donate a kidney to a relative or friend in treatment of chronic renal failure in 71.5% of cases. The subjects taught at secondary level, higher level and those informed of renal failure were more prone to kidney donation than others.

Conclusion: This study shows a large pool of potential kidney donors, hence the need to conduct outreach activities to turn them into actual donors.