Donación de órganos: evaluación de los aspectos socioeconómicos y cognitivos.

Organ donation is an act of solidarity which involves the action of giving one’s own organs or tissues voluntarily to improve another person's life. It is important, therefore, to determine the factors involved in such an act. Socioeconomic and cognitive aspects related to organ donation were analyzed in the relatives of patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Maracay’s Central Hospital (MCH) Autonomous Service. We carried out a descriptive field study with a sample census of 30 relatives of patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Maracay’s Central Hospital during June and July 2008. Data collected were mathematically and statistically analyzed. Results showed a relationship between socioeconomic factors and organ donation, since 53% of respondents belonged to the stratum IV, according to the Graffar Castellanos method. Furthermore, 43% of the sample was unaware of the significance of organ donation, and 53.84% of the latter was from stratum IV. Also, poor knowledge of thetopic was present among various religions, with 61.53% of Catholics approving organ donation and organ transplants. This suggests that the shortage of donations in the country is due to lack of knowledge and to a negative predisposition toward donation. Finally, activities and actions for promoting organ donation in MCH’s ICU are recommended. The same can be done in other health centers.