Recorded presentation

Nancy L. Fahrenwald, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, South Dakota State University, Box 2275, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4098, Nancy_Fahrenwald@sdstate.edu, Christine Belitz, BS, SD Lion's Eye Bank, 1321 W. 22nd St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105, Arliss Keckler, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, P.O. Box 851, Eagle Butte, SD 57625, and Manoj Sharma, PhD, School of HPER, University of Nebraska at Omaha & Walden University, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68182-0216.

Reaching the American Indian population to increase organ donation is a critical public health issue. Disproportionately high rates of type-2 diabetes and hypertension in the target population contribute to this problem, particularly with regard to need for kidneys. The disparity between need for kidney donation and low consent rates among potential Indian donors is tragic and worthy of public health interventions. If more American Indian donors were available it would increase the probability of better human leukocyte antigen matching in the population and improve rates of graft survival. Targeting American Indian people for organ and tissue donation requires an understanding of their knowledge, attitudes, and barriers related to donation. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the process of developing a culturally-competent intervention to increase organ, eye, and tissue donation on South Dakota (SD) Indian Reservations. The intervention is derived from the cultural context of the Lakota Sioux Indians. Strategies used to reach the population are also derived from Diffusion of Innovation theory and the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change, particularly the constructs of self-efficacy, decisional balance, consciousness raising, environmental re-evaluation, self re-evaluation, self liberation, and helping relationships. Funding source: USDHHS, HRSA 1 R390T01211-01-00.

Learning Objectives:

• Substantiate the health disparity that exists between the need for donor organs (especially kidneys) among American Indian people and the prevalence of organ and tissue donation in this population, particularly in the upper Midwest.
• Outline the urgent need for culturally-relevant social and behavioral interventions that increase intent to be an organ and/or tissue donor for American Indian people.
• Describe the design of a culturally-competent intervention which aims to Increase Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation on South Dakota (SD) Indian Reservations.

Keywords: American Indians, Public Health 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.

Recorded presentation