Knowledge and attitudes of Moroccan hemodialysis patients toward renal transplantation: did we inform our patients enough?

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem. It is essential to offer patients all appropriate and available treatment options. However, it seems that nephrologists do not talk enough about renal transplantation to their patients. Aim This pilot study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of hemodialysis patients related to renal transplantation. Methods The research included 120 hemodialysis patients from three centers. The instrument was a structured questionnaire completed in individual interviews. None of the respondents had been transplanted. The subjects addressed in the document were sociocultural status, willingness to be transplanted, ability to identify major benefits and risks of renal transplantation, and knowledge of religious attitudes toward living and cadaveric organ donation and transplantation. Results Among the 120 patients were 53.3% women with an overall mean age of 50.5 ± 10.3 years. The mean duration of hemodialysis was 7.7 ± 5.8 years. Only 15% were highly educated, and 55% had a moderate economic status. Of the 120 respondents, 76% stated that they were willing to be transplanted. However, 41.7% thought that transplantation was more expensive than hemodialysis. Only 65.8% believed that renal transplantation offered a better quality of life. They were afraid of multiple complications and return to dialysis. Of the 120 respondents, 65.9% believed that Islam is adverse to cadaveric donation, a rate that fell to 35.8% concerning living donors. Fifty-four percent of respondents stated that they wanted to obtain more information about renal transplantation. Conclusion There is a need to increase awareness about organ donation and transplantation among hemodialysis patients and their families.