FACTORS AFFECTING THE WILLINGNESS ON KIDNEY DONATION AMONG THE FAMILIES OF PATIENTS WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE CONSULTING AT FEU-NRMF MEDICAL CENTER

ABSTRACT: End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), a progressive, irreversible deterioration in renal function in which the body's maintenance of the metabolic, fluid and electrolyte balance fails, resulting in uremia and azotemia one unable to live without dialysis or a transplant. Its incidence has been increasing at a significant pace making it the 7th leading cause of death among Filipinos. Dialysis is an acceptable treatment but at least 2 sessions per week for a lifetime make it very expensive and people undergoing such become sicker and more fragile. A better option is kidney transplantation. However, the scarcity of sources for transplantable organs plagues the country. Although most people are aware of organ donation, many are unwilling to consider donating organs. Families are potential donors of kidneys to their sick members. This research study therefore explored the socio-demographic factors, knowledge and attitudes toward kidney donation and their effect on the willingness of families of patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension consulting the Outpatient Department of FEU-NRMF Medical Center. The significance of this study, therefore, is to contribute to the body of knowledge in the medical field regarding the factors that motivate people in donating kidney and will serve as basis for health education to increase awareness of people thus increasing rates of organ donation alleviating problem on scarcity of organ for transplantation.

Department of Community & Family Medicine