Korean J Transplant.  2021 Oct;35(Supple 1):S110. 10.4285/ATW2021.OP-1283.

Perception regarding live kidney donation in the general population of South Korea

• Kang E
• Lee J
• Park S
• Kim Y
• Kim HJ
• Kim YC
• Kim YS
• Choi I

• KMID: 2521366
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4285/ATW2021.OP-1283

Abstract

Background
It is necessary to explore the general perception of live kidney donations for the public consensus on the social supporting systems for donors in Korea, where living donor kidney transplantations are more dominant than deceased donor kidney transplantations.
Methods
Subjects were the general population who were randomly extracted after proportional allocation by residence, gender, and age. The questionnaire included demographic information, socioeconomic and marital status, prior recognition of live donor kidney transplantation, expected changes after donation, and the need for social support after donor nephrectomy. A very detailed explanation regarding live donor kidney transplantation was provided for all participants, and the questionnaire was repeated to investigate whether there was any change in responses.
Results
A total of 1,000 general population responded to the web-based survey. Of the respondents, 81.1% were aware of live kidney donation, and 31.9% agreed that donation of the kidney is relatively safe. When asked if they were willing to donate their kidneys, 35.3% answered positively, and 51.1% said they were not sure. Participants were more likely to agree that the government should provide social and economic support to live kidney donors (Yes, 73.2%; No, 8.3%; Unsure, 18.5%). When asked about the type of government support, more than 70% of the respondents answered that they needed financial support including surgery and regular medical check-up costs. After reading the detailed description regarding kidney donations, the number of respondents who thought a kidney transplant was safe increased, however, there was no significant change in their willingness to donate. The positive response to the need for socioeconomic support increased with statistical significance.
Conclusions
Korean people regarded live kidney donation as that could be relatively safe but affect health status, which may let them think that social support for live kidney donors be needed.