Increased organ donations from people born outside Spain

Transplant Proc. 2008 Nov;40(9):2872-3. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.08.095.

Abstract

Organs donated from persons born outside Spain are becoming increasingly numerous. These persons now account for 26.1% of all donors in the "Malaga sector," an area of tourism with a high percentage of immigrants. Acceptance to donation among persons from Europe and South America is similar to that of Spanish persons but lower among those born in Africa. We must recognize the great help that cultural mediators provided not only by assistance with the language barrier but also by generating confidence among families and understanding their emotions, feelings, and traditions, mainly during interviews with families from different social and cultural miliere. To be efficient, the interpreters or cultural mediators need to have received specific training in the organ donation process and to be involved and convinced that organ donation and transplantation is the best solution for severe health problems.

MeSH terms

  • Africa, Northern / ethnology
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Cadaver
  • Culture
  • Emigration and Immigration / statistics & numerical data*
  • Emotions
  • Europe / ethnology
  • Family
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Language
  • Religion
  • South America / ethnology
  • Spain
  • Tissue Donors / psychology
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / statistics & numerical data*