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2008-NS-69-AATB

A willingness to donate organs among members of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Southeastern Oklahoma
S. Armstrong;
East Central University, Ada, OK.
Purpose/Objective: This sample survey examines views on organ donation among 340 tribal members of the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is a non-reservation dwelling tribe whose tribal headquarters are
located in Southeastern Oklahoma. The purpose of the study is to investigate predictor variables of willingness to
donate organs among the Citizen Potawatomi membership to help guide the tribes health programs aimed at profiling
potential donors. Since very little research has been done on how non-reservation dwelling tribes view organ donation,
another purpose of the study is to ignite interest in the subject among tribal leaders in Oklahoma, the state where the
majority of all Native Americans live, and where the majority of all federally recognized tribal nations are
headquartered.
Materials/Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was used to examine views on organ donation among 340
Native American tribal members attending an annual festival. Four scales were used to measure the following
independent variables: 1) attitudes toward donation, 2) experience with donation, 3) knowledge about donation, and 4)
family discussion of donation. The dependent variable, willingness to donate, was also a scaled factor. More
specifically, attitudes toward donation refers to an individuals beliefs, either positive or negative, of organ
donation. Attitudes toward donation were assessed by 7 questions using a 4 item Likert scale (1-strongly disagree; 2disagree; 3-agree; 4-strongly agree). One item was reversed scored for reliability purposes. A composite score from 728 was calculated for each participant,(7-most negative; 28-most positive). Experience with donation refers to whether
or not an individual has had a personal experience with organ donation or knows someone who has had a personal
experience with organ donation. Experience with donation was measured by a two- item true or false survey or
questionnaire asking direct questions about knowing someone who is waiting for an organ or has donated an organ. A
composite score of 0-2 was calculated for each participant (0-no experience; 1-some experience 2-personal experience).
Knowledge of organ donation was measured through a nine-question true or false survey or questionnaire. A composite
score from 0-9 (0 = the least knowledgeable; 9 = most knowledgeable) was calculated for each participant. Family
discussion of donation refers to an individuals degree of openness to discussing organ donation with family and
friends. Family discussion of donation was measured by 2 questions using a Likert scale (1-strongly disagree; 2disagree; 3-agree; 4-strongly agree). A composite score from 2-8 was calculated for each participant (2-no family
discussion; 8-high family discussion). Willingness to donate refers to an individuals intention and willingness to
donate his or her organs/tissues as evidenced by signing an organ donor card. Willingness to donate was measured
by 4 questions, using a 4 item Likert scale (1-strongly disagree; 2-disagree; 3-agree; 4-strongly agree). A composite
score from 4- 16 of willingness to donate was calculated for each participant (4-unwilling to donate; 16-very willing to
donate).
Results: Using Pearson's measure of association, significant correlations were found between all four independent
variables and willingness to donate at the .05 level.. However, the strongest correlations were observed between family
discussion (r = .718), attitudes toward donation (r = .658). The results of the study are consistent with previous research
which suggests that family discussion is predictor variable of willingness to donate among most minority populations.
However, the lack of strength between knowledge of donation and willingness to donate is inconsistent with previous
research on minority populations, as knowledge of donation is most often a predictor variable of willingness to donate.
Conclusions: Attitudes toward donation were generally positive, despite age, income and education level. More
research on specific tribal views on organ donation may be helpful for tribal Nations to internally address the issue of
organ donation and transplantation.
S. Armstrong , None.