Factors affecting a decision on cadaveric organ donation in Black African families

Abstract

Bibliography: leaves 45-49.Black Africans continue to be the group with low consent for cadaveric organ donation However, the number of African Black patients with organ malfunctioning or failure continues to rise. Feelings associated with death and the novelty of the concept of organ donation to Blacks hinder the process of organ donation. Previous research indicate that although organ removal is not new in the Black African culture, its use for medical purposes is a recent development . This study explores factors that have affected the decision of Black African families regarding cadaveric organ donation . It focuses on families which have been requested to donate by the Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) transplant co-ordinators from 1994 to 1996 Further, it examines whether the attitudes held at the time of the request have changed. An understanding of the factors and recommendations are offered at the end