Hispanic/Latino Concerns about Living Kidney Donation: A Focus Group Study:

ContextGiven the shortage of kidneys for transplant, living kidney donation (LKD) is increasingly used to expand the organ donor pool. Although Hispanics/Latinos need disproportionately more kidney transplants, they receive a smaller proportion of living donor kidney transplants than other ethnic/racial groups.ObjectiveTo assess Hispanics' awareness, perceptions, misconceptions, cultural beliefs, and values about and barriers to LKD.DesignNine focus groups were conducted with 76 adult Hispanics in Chicago, Illinois, between January and March 2012.ParticipantsFocus groups included kidney transplant recipients, living kidney donors, dialysis patients, and the general Hispanic public.ResultsSeveral themes emerged as perceived barriers to LKD. Many participants identified knowledge deficits about LKD, expressing uncertainty about the differences between LKD and deceased donation, and whether kidney disease simultaneously afflicts both kidneys. Many believed that donors experience dramatically shorter life exp...