Correlates of support for organ donation among three ethnic groups

Telephone interviews about organ donation were conducted with 4880 white re spondents, 634 African-American respondents and 566 Hispanic respondents. F orty-three percent (42.9%) of whites, 31.2% of Hispanics and 22.6% of Afric an-Americans reported that they were willing to donate their organs after t heir death (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed three signifi cant correlates of willingness to donate across all ethnic groups: having h ad a family discussion about end-of-life issues; the belief that a doctor d oes all he or she can to save a life before pursuing donation; and concerns about surgical 'disfigurement' of a relative's body after donation. Concer ns in relation to body disfigurement were more prevalent among African-Amer ican and Hispanic respondents (p < 0.001) than among white respondents. Pub lic education should: a) stress the need for family communication about end -of-life issues including organ donation; b) underline the fact that donati on is considered only after all efforts to save the life of the patient are exhausted; and c) reassure minorities that the body of the donor is treate d respectfully and not disfigured.