Level of acceptance of solid organ xenotransplantation among personnel in Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban hospitals

• Published in: Xenotransplantation (Københaven) 2014-01, Vol.21 (1), p.84-90
• Main Authors: Ríos, Antonio, Martínez-Alarcón, Laura, López-Navas, Ana, Ayala-García, Marcos, Sebastián, Mª José, Abdo-Cuza, Anselmo, Ramírez, Ector Jaime, Muñoz, Gerardo, Palacios, Gerardo, Suárez-López, Juliette, Castellanos, Ricardo, González, Beatriz, Martínez, Miguel Ángel, Díaz, Ernesto, Nieto, Adrián, Ramis, Gillermo, Ramírez, Pablo, Parrilla, Pascual
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Attitude; Cuba; Female; hospital personnel; Humans; Male; Mexico; Middle Aged; organ donation; Personnel, Hospital; Spain; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tissue and Organ Procurement - statistics & numerical data; transplant-related services; Transplantation, Heterologous - statistics & numerical data; xenotransplantation; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0908-665X; 1399-3089
• DOI: 10.1111/xen.12074

Background Xenotransplantation is still a long way from becoming a clinical reality. However, in an emergency situation, it could be used as a bridge for replacing vital organs until the arrival of a human organ. To analyze the attitude toward xenotransplantation among hospital personnel from several hospitals in Spain and Latin America. Methods A random sample stratified according to the type of hospital and job category (n = 2618) in 10 hospitals in three different countries: Spain (n = 821), Mexico (n = 1595), and Cuba (n = 202). A validated questionnaire (PCID—XenoTx Rios) was self‐administered and completed anonymously by the respondents. Results If the results of xenotransplantation were similar to those achieved using human donor organs, 61% (n = 1591) of the respondents would be in favor, while 9% (n = 234) would be against and 30% (n = 793) would be unsure. The analysis of the variables affecting attitude toward xenotransplantation revealed that attitude varied according to the country of reference and was more favorable among personnel in Cuban hospitals (70% a favor) than in Spanish (57%) and Mexican ones (62%; P = 0.000). However, these differences are mainly determined by job category with the physicians having the most favorable attitude. The ancillary staff, in contrast, had the least favorable attitude (76 vs. 51% respectively; P = 0.000). Of the remaining variables, attitude is significantly related to variables connected to human donation: attitude toward the different kinds of human organ donation (deceased [P