Factors affecting willingness to receive a kidney transplant among minority patients at an urban safety-net hospital: a cross-sectional survey

• Authors: Titilayo Ilori, Emory University; Nosayaba Enofe, Emory University; Anju Oommen, Emory University; Oluwaseun Odewole, Emory University; Akinlolu Ojo, University of Michigan; Laura Plantinga, Emory University; Stephen Pastan, Emory University; Justin B. Echouffo-Tcheugui, Emory University; William McClellan, Emory University
• Journal Title: BMC Nephrology
• Volume: Volume 16, Number 1
• Publisher: BioMed Central | 2015-11-21, Pages 191-191
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-015-0186-2
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Urology & Nephrology; African Americans; Willingness; Kidney transplant; CKD; Perceptions; Attitudes; Knowledge; CADAVERIC RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION; UNITED-STATES; SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS; HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS; RACIAL DISPARITIES; BARRIERS; ACCESS; DISEASE; DONOR; RACE

Abstract

Background: In the US, African Americans (AAs) are four times more likely to develop end stage renal disease (ESRD) but half as likely to receive a kidney transplant as whites. Patient interest in kidney transplantation is a fundamental step in the kidney transplant referral process. Our aim was to determine the factors associated with the willingness to receive a kidney transplant among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in a predominantly minority population. Methods: CKD patients from an outpatient nephrology clinic at a safety-net hospital (n = 213) participated in a cross-sectional survey from April to June, 2013 to examine the factors associated with willingness to receive a kidney transplant among a predominantly minority population. The study questionnaire was developed from previously published literature. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with willingness to undergo a kidney transplant. Results: Respondents were primarily AAs (91.0 %), mostly female (57.6 %) and middle aged (51.6 %). Overall, 53.9 % of participants were willing to undergo a kidney transplant. Willingness to undergo a kidney transplant was associated with a positive perception towards living kidney donation (OR 7.31, 95 % CI: 1.31-40.88), willingness to attend a class about kidney transplant (OR = 7.15, CI: 1.76-29.05), perception that a kidney transplant will improve quality of life compared to dialysis (OR = 5.40, 95 % CI: 1.97-14.81), and obtaining information on kidney transplant from other sources vs. participant's physician (OR =3.30, 95 % CI: 1.13-9.67), when compared with their reference groups. Conclusion: It is essential that the quality of life benefits of kidney transplantation be known to individuals with CKD to increase their willingness to undergo kidney transplantation. Availability of multiple sources of information and classes on kidney transplantation may also contribute to willingness to undergo kidney transplantation, especially among AAs.