Level of Acceptance of a Clinical Solid Organ Xenotransplantation Program Among Personnel in Organ Transplant-Related Services in Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban Hospital Centers

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 222 - 227
• Main Authors: Ríos, A, Martínez-Alarcón, L, Ayala-García, M.A, Sebastián, M.J, Abdo-Cuza, A, López-Navas, A, López-López, A, Ramírez, E.J, Muñoz, G, Camacho, A, Suárez-López, J, Castellanos, R, Rodríguez, J.S, Martínez, M.A, Nieto, A, Ramis, G, Ramírez, P, Parrilla, P
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Age Factors; Animals; Attitude to Health; Biological and medical sciences; Cadaver; Cuba; Culture; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Living Donors; Male; Medical sciences; Medical Staff, Hospital - psychology; Mexico; Miscellaneous; Nursing Staff, Hospital - psychology; Personnel, Hospital - psychology; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Sex Characteristics; Spain; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tissue Donors; Tissue, organ and graft immunology; Transplantation - psychology; Transplantation, Heterologous - psychology; Central America; Cuba; Europe; America; West Indies; Mexico; Spain; Graft(material); Acceptance; Center; Program; Solid organ; Hospitalization; Transplantation; Homotransplantation; Heterotransplantation; Personnel; Medicine; Treatment; Surgery; Graft; Spanish; Hospital; Public health
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.11.007

Abstract Introduction Xenotransplantation is far from becoming a clinical reality. However, in vital organs it could be used as a bridge until a human organ becomes available, in an emergency situation. We analyzed the attitude toward xenotransplantation among personnel in transplant-related services in several hospitals in Spain and Latin America. Methods A random sample stratified by type of service and job category ( n = 738), in transplant-related services (procurement units, transplant units, and transplant patient follow-up units) was examined in eight hospital centers from three different countries: Spain ( n = 349), Mexico ( n = 269), and Cuba ( n = 120). A self-administered validated questionnaire was completed anonymously. Results Based on the assumption that all the results of xenotransplantation were similar to those achieved with human donors, most respondents [66% ( n = 484)] would be in favor. The employees from Cuban centers had the most favorable attitudes (72% in favor), followed by the Spanish (64%) and the Mexicans (61%; P = .013). However, the differences were mainly determined by job category: Physicians showed the most favorable attitudes and auxiliary staff the least (67% vs 40%; P = .010). Attitudes were significantly related to beliefs about different types of human donation [deceased ( P < .001) and living ( P < .001)], the possibility of needing a transplant for oneself ( P < .001), and a favorable attitude toward donating the organs of a deceased family member ( P = .004). Conclusions Currently, a third of health care employees working in transplant-related services are not in favor of xenotransplantation. More information should be provided about the subject, especially in centers with preclinical xenotransplantation programs.