Irish citizens resident in the southeast of Spain and xenotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: It is fundamental to find out the level of social acceptance of xenotransplantation (XT), especially in areas where there are preclinical projects. In the native population in the southeast of Spain this situation is well known, but in recent years there has been a considerable social change due to large migratory flows, especially concerning Ireland. The aim of this study was to analyze the attitude toward XT among the population in the southeast of Spain born in Ireland and to determine the variables affecting this attitude.

METHODS: Within the "International Collaborative Donor Project," a random sample was taken (n = 325) of the population from the southeast of Spain born in Ireland. Attitude was evaluated using a validated questionnaire, which was self-administered and completed anonymously.

RESULTS: The questionnaire completion rate was 82% (266 respondents of the 325 selected). Regarding animal organ donation for humans, if the results were similar to those achieved using human donors, 62% (n = 165) would be in favor, 30% (n = 79) undecided, and the remaining 8% (n = 22) against. If the results were worse than those achieved using human donors, 20% (n = 50) would be in favor, 59% (n = 150) undecided, and the remaining 21% (n = 54) against. Attitude toward XT is related to religion (P = .003), knowing the favorable attitude of one's religion toward transplantation (P = .037), having spoken about donation and transplantation within the family (P = .001), a partner's favorable attitude toward transplantation (P = .001), and a favorable attitude toward both deceased (P = .001) and living (P = .023) human donation.

CONCLUSIONS: Attitude toward XT among Irish citizens who are resident in the southeast of Spain is worse than that of the native Spanish population and is mainly determined by factors related to prior attitude toward the different types of human organ donation, family attitude, and religious motives.