Acceptance level of living liver donation among primary care nursing personnel.

INTRODUCTION: Living liver donation is not exempt from risks to the donor, although it is currently ethically accepted. It is important to examine the level of acceptance among the different health levels toward this therapeutic option, in order to design promotion and awareness-raising activities. The objective herein was to analyze the attitudes and the factors that condition them among nursing personnel in Primary Care (PC) toward living liver donation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This random survey was stratified by geographical location (6 health areas in our community) among PC nurses, obtaining a total of 139 nurses from 34 health centers. Attitudes toward living liver donation were evaluated using a questionnaire on donation which included different psychosocial variables. For the distribution of the questionnaire, the nursing coordinator of each centers was contacted to distribute questionnaires which were completed anonymously. The chi-square test and Student t test were applied.

RESULTS: Attitudes toward living liver donation were favorable in 89% of those questioned (n = 124) if it is related donation; 3% (n = 4) were against donating a living hemiliver and 8% (n = 11) had doubts. It is important that up to 76% (n = 106) have cared for transplant patients or patients awaiting transplant, however, no relationship was observed with attitude to this type of donation (P = .489). Of all the analyzed variables, there was only a significant relationship between attitudes and concern about possible body mutilation (P < .0005), and partners attitudes toward this matter (P < .0005). It is noteworthy that no relationship was found with attitudes toward cadaveric donation (P = .062).

CONCLUSION: Despite the risk of morbidity and mortality in the donor, the attitude of the PC nursing personnel toward living liver donation was favorable, especially if the donation is related.