141st APHA Annual Meeting

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289687
Knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding organ and tissue donation

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 9:30 AM - 9:50 AM

Meghan Jernigan, MPH , Partnerships for Native Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) suffer a disproportionate burden of diabetes and kidney failure. For those with chronic kidney disease, transplantation may be the most effective treatment option. However, low rates of organ donation and transplantation are reported for AI/ANs, who face significant barriers in accessing the transplant waiting list. They are also less likely than Whites to consent to become organ donors. We partnered with five tribal colleges and universities to conduct focus groups to assess knowledge, cultural beliefs, and behaviors related to organ donation and transplantation. Focus group data were used to develop a culturally targeted media campaign and outreach strategy aimed at increasing rates of donor consent. Community knowledge typically drew from direct family experience with chronic illness. Study findings confirmed that attitudes about organ donation were influenced by cultural beliefs. Nevertheless, many participants supported organ donation even when it conflicted with cultural and spiritual beliefs about keeping the body intact for burial. Participants also expressed mistrust of the local health care system, suggesting that trust issues might interfere with health messaging on this topic. This is the first study to examine sociocultural beliefs about organ donation among AI college students. Through focus group findings, study staff were better positioned to develop culturally relevant outreach materials. Rising rates of chronic illness among AI ensure that organ donation and transplantation will be a long-term feature of the health landscape in AI communities. Targeted health messaging must be part of the strategy to reduce donor shortages.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify knowledge and cultural beliefs on organ and tissue donation among select tribal college communities. Describe community knowledge of chronic illness and its impact on participation in organ donation efforts.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the research manager at the university of washington and have worked on issues of health disparities and health research within American Indian communities for eight years. I oversee this research project and have extensive experience in data analysis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.