Factors influencing living kidney donation in Singapore.

Context--Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for kidney failure, but the supply of donor kidneys remains small. Objective--To understand the public's attitude toward living donor kidney donation in Singapore. Design, Setting and Participants, Intervention, Outcome Measures--A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 1520 members of the general public seeking care at local medical centers. A self-administered questionnaire included questions on demographics and subjects' willingness and unwillingness to donate a kidney. Respondents were aged at least 18 years and did not have underlying chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, or history of kidney transplant. Results--Overall mean age of respondents was 49 (SD, 15) years and 50% were male. Response rate to the question on "willingness to donate kidney while alive" was 96% (1460); 707 (48.4%) were willing to donate a kidney while alive. Respondents who were willing to donate were younger (<40 years; P< .001); had above a secondary level education (P< .001); had monthly household income 2000 SGD (or US$1660; exchange rate at 1 SGD = US$0.83) or higher (P< .001); were not married, single, or divorced (P< .001); and were professionals (P< .001). Fear of surgical risks (86.5% strongly agree or agree) and poorer health consequent to donation (87.5% strongly agree or agree) were the main reasons for not considering being a living kidney donor. Demographic factors and concerns of surgical risks and ill health after transplant influenced willingness to donate a kidney while alive. Addressing these concerns may alleviate anxiety with regard to living kidney donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]