Using body donor demographics to assist the implementation of donation programs in Brazil

Abstract

The use of human material in anatomy education depends upon the generosity of body donors. However, little is known regarding the demographics of body donors in Brazil, where voluntary body donation is a relatively rare phenomenon. Hence, the aim of the present study was to elucidate the demographic profile of applicants to the Body Donation Program (BDP) at the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre in Brazil, as well as to assess whether the observed characteristics of body donors are unique to that sample, or if they merely reflect the characteristics of the regional population. Information derived from the specific forms filled out by donors between January 2008 and June 2016 at the time of registration were collected. Data from 416 forms were analyzed. Based on this study, the typical applicant in Brazil is typically a white female (67.4%), over 60 years of age (60.3%), unmarried or single (70.6%), affiliated with a religious group (89.1%), of middle class background (40.4%), who has completed high school and/or holds a university degree (93.8%). The motivation of donors was, in most cases, an altruistic gesture, represented by the desire to help society and science. Elucidating these demographic characteristics of potential donors may help identify the target public to which information regarding body donation campaigns could be directed. Anat Sci Educ 10: 475-486. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.

Making the Ethical Transition in South Africa: Acquiring Human Bodies for Training in Anatomy

“…There appear to be many factors that could be taken into account when seeking potential body donors. Donors were found to be altruistic (Cornwall et al, ; da Rocha et al, ), co‐donate (if in a partnership; Anteby et al, ) and have long term partnerships (Cornwall et al, ). Cornwall () also suggests targeting registration of body donors to specific months of the year (Spring‐time; longer daylight hours) when a change in the neurochemistry of the brain occurs.…”

Consent in body donation

“…When prospective donors communicate such concerns, they tend to do so in rather vague, broad-brush ways. They say that they want to help mankind, society, the medical profession, or medical students and/or to make positive contributions to knowledge, science, medical research, or medical education and/or to 'avoid waste' (Fennell & Jones, 1992;Richardson & Hurwitz, 1995;Bolt et al, 2010;McClea & Stringer, 2010;Cornwall et al, 2012;da Rocha et al, 2017;Cornwall et al, 2018. See particularly the review included in Gürses et al, 2018).…”

Body Donation Program for Anatomical Teaching: The Perception of Brazilian Students

“…In a recent study, [18] researchers stated that in order to maintain donation programs, it is essential first to understand the meaning of public opinion and then adopt strategies to improve donations. In addition, the same author suggested that donor profile surveys provide useful information about donors and the reasons they donate, which can be used to direct potential donors when setting donor programs, to circumvent difficulties in finding donors, or to monitor changes in donor profiles [18,19]. Body donation research shows that the identification of donor profiles facilitated campaigns aimed at informing the target population about voluntary donation of cadavers [19].…”