Risk Behavior and Reciprocity of Organ Donation Attitudes in Young Men

Abstract Background Lack of donor organs remains a major obstacle in organ transplantation. Our aim was to evaluate (1) the association between engaging in high-risk recreational activities and attitudes toward organ donation and (2) the degree of reciprocity between organ acceptance and donation wi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transplantation proceedings 2015-07, Vol.47 (6), p.1560-1566
Main Authors: Vetterli, D.C.M, Lava, S.A.G, Essig, S, Milosevic, G, Cajöri, G, Uehlinger, D.E, Moor, M.B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Altruism
Attitude
Cross-Sectional Studies
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Recreation
Regression Analysis
Risk-Taking
Surgery
Surveys and Questionnaires
Switzerland
Tissue and Organ Procurement
Tissue Donors - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Background Lack of donor organs remains a major obstacle in organ transplantation. Our aim was to evaluate (1) the association between engaging in high-risk recreational activities and attitudes toward organ donation and (2) the degree of reciprocity between organ acceptance and donation willingness in young men. Methods A 17-item, close-ended survey was offered to male conscripts ages 18 to 26 years in all Swiss military conscription centers. Predictors of organ donation attitudes were assessed in bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression. Reciprocity of the intentions to accept and to donate organs was assessed by means of donor card status. Results In 1559 responses analyzed, neither motorcycling nor practicing extreme sports reached significant association with donor card holder status. Family communication about organ donation, student, or academic profession and living in a Latin linguistic region were predictors of positive organ donation attitudes, whereas residence in a German-speaking region and practicing any religion predicted reluctance. Significantly more respondents were willing to accept than to donate organs, especially among those without family communication concerning organ donation. Conclusions For the first time, it was shown that high-risk recreational activities do not influence organ donation attitudes. Second, a considerable discrepancy in organ donation reciprocity was identified. We propose that increasing this reciprocity could eventually increase organ donation rates.
ISSN:0041-1345
1873-2623
DOI:10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.02.024