Objectives: The knowledge of the concept of brain death is fundamental for being able to understand the organ donation process and helps to achieve its acceptance. Our aim was to analyze levels of understanding of the brain death concept among Latin Americans residing in Florida (USA) and to determine the factors affecting this understanding.
Materials and methods: A sample of residents of Latin American origin in the state of Florida was randomized and stratified by nationality, age, and sex (N = 1524). Attitude was assessed using a validated questionnaire, which was self-administered and completed anonymously. For statistical analysis of descriptive data, we used t test, the chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis.
Results: The questionnaire completion rate was 95% (n = 1450). We found that 24% (n = 350) understood the concept of brain death, 54% (n = 777) did not understand it, and the remaining 22% (n = 323) believed it did not mean a person's death. The following variables were related to understanding this concept: (1) country of origin (P ⟨ .001), (2) sex (P = .001), (3) marital status (P ⟨ .001), (4) level of formal education (P < .001), (5) having spoken about the subject with one's family (P < .001), (6) a partner's attitude toward donation (P < .001), and (6) religion (P < .001). In the multivariate analysis, the following factors continued to be related: country of origin, level of formal education, and religion. A more positive attitude toward organ donation was found among those who understood the concept of brain death (29% vs 22%; P = .004).
Conclusions: Knowledge of the concept of brain death among Latin American residents in Florida is limited, with marked differences depending on the respondent's country of origin, level of formal education, and religion.