Willingness to donate organs and tissues in Vietnam.

CONTEXT: Few studies on public attitudes toward organ and tissue donation have been carried out in Asia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine demographic influences on attitudes toward organ and tissue donation in Vietnam.

DESIGN: Face-to-face interviews.

SETTING: Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of adults (N = 785).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Awareness of donation and transplantation, acceptance of organ and tissue donation.

RESULTS: 75% of respondents stated they had heard of organ or tissue donation, but only 55% were aware of organ and tissue transplantation taking place in Vietnam. Forty-eight percent of Buddhists and 27.5% of Christians had either no knowledge or incorrect knowledge about their religion's official position toward donation and transplantation. Sixty-four percent stated they would give consent for the donation of their decreased relative's tissues and organs, 66% would themselves become posthumous donors, and 21% to 22% would donate multiple organs and tissues. A significant association was found between respondents' acceptance of organ and tissue donation and their educational level, sex, occupation, and awareness of transplantation. Most respondents stated that their willingness to donate depended on whether other family members agreed. Many noted the importance of preventing commerce in organ and tissue transplantation but were in favor of providing healthcare for the donor's family or monetary incentives as a reward for donating.

CONCLUSION: Nearly two thirds of urban Vietnamese surveyed were willing to donate organs or tissues after death. Their willingness was related to awareness of transplantation, sex, education level, and occupation.