Increasing intent to donate in Hispanic American high school students: results of a prospective observational study

Transplant Proc. 2013 Jan-Feb;45(1):13-9. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2012.08.009.

Abstract

Background: High school students are an important target audience for organ donation education. A novel educational intervention focused on Hispanic American (HA) high school students might improve organ donation rates.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in five Los Angeles High Schools with a high percentage of HA students. A "culturally sensitive" educational program was administered to students in grades 9 to 12. Preintervention surveys that assessed awareness, knowledge, perception, and beliefs regarding donation as well as the intent to become an organ donor were compared to postintervention surveys.

Results: A total of 10,146 high school students participated in the study. After exclusions, 4876 preintervention and 3182 postintervention surveys were analyzed. A significant increase in the overall knowledge, awareness, and beliefs regarding donation was observed after the intervention, as evidenced by a significant increase in the percentage of correct answers on the survey (41% pre- versus 44% postintervention, P < .0001). When specifically examining HA students, there was a significant increase in the intent to donate organs (adjusted odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.09, 1.34, P = .0003).

Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate a significant increase in the intent to donate among HA high school students following an educational intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attitude to Health
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Female
  • Health Communication
  • Health Education
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Intention*
  • Male
  • Religion
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Risk Factors
  • Schools
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tissue Donors / education
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement*