The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43335

Adedeji Sikiru Adefuye, MBBS, MPH¹, Shaffdeen Amuwo, PhD,, MPH¹, and Martin Mozes, MD². (1) OCGA, University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, 1603 W. Taylor, Suite 152, Chicago, IL 60612, 312-996-6081, rill@uic.edu, (2) Regional Organ Bank of Illinois, 800 S Wells, Suite 190, Chicago, IL 60607

Knowledge of Organ Donation, its Importance and Benefits Not Enough To Motivate Donation Among African Americans

Adedeji Adefuye MBBS, MPH, Martin Mozes MD, Shaffdeen Amuwo MPH, PhD

Minority organ donation rates have increased over the past several years, but is below the numbers for whites and number of patients requiring organ transplant. Among all strategies adopted to increase minority organ donation, community empowerment has been one of the most effective.

This study explore some of the reasons why participants in an educational intervention in a predominantly African American neighborhood of Chicago declined to register to be donors, even though they received education, demonstrated a good knowledge of organ donation and the benefits of donation.

Two hundred randomly selected individuals who attended the drivers license facility during the intervention were surveyed on phone using a structured instrument. One hundred and sixty two this took part in the educational intervention.

We analyzed the 100 who took part in the intervention and still failed to register to be donors. Overall respondents showed high knowledge of organ donation and its benefits. Eight percent of the group who had some experience with donation, reported them as positive. Reasons for not donating ranged from personal choice to poor health, not wanting body to be used for science, fear of not receiving adequate attention when sick or involved an accident, religious beliefs, red tapeism and people profiting from donation with nothing for the donor's family. On the likelihood to change their minds, only 9% reported the possibility of changing their for such reasons as family members needing an organ transplant or may be when I am older.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize obstacles to increasing organ donation among African Americans
• Understand that knowledge of organ donation and its benefits alone does not motivate to donate
• Under the need for the development of targeted for individuals with strong opposition to organ donation

Keywords: Community Education,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.