Attitude towards deceased donation in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Describe the current state of deceased kidney donation in Southern Vietnam and to explore the knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards kidney donation after death. Factors associated with the decision to donate among selective populations in HoChi Minh city were explored. Self-administered questionnaire of 30 questions to people over 18 years in three different communities were studied, n = 1068; 77% and 63.8% agreed they would donate their own kidney and that of their relatives respectively after death. Factors associated with positive donation wishes were knowledge of the national shortage of organs and brain death as well as positive previous family conversations. Main reason for refusal was lack of agreement within families about donation. The desire for equitable distribution of organs was frequently expressed. The majority of people interviewed in this large study agreed with deceased organ donation. Despite this, few deceased donor kidney transplants are performed in adults and none in children in Southern Vietnam, therefore greater efforts in the donation process and coordination of deceased donor lists is required. Given the correlation between positive donation wishes and knowledge with desire to donate, widespread public education campaigns are critical to the promotion and development of a successful deceased organ donation programme in Southern Vietnam.