JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Latinx populations are severely underrepresented amongst organ donors as compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Objective:

The Promotoras de Donación eLearning module was developed to train Latinx lay health educators (i.e., promotoras) to discuss deceased organ donation and promote donor registration within their communities. This report describes the results of two studies designed to assess the direct and indirect effects of the module.

Methods:

Forty promotoras affiliated with four partnering community based organizations completed the module. Brief surveys were administered before and after module completion to assess changes in organ donation knowledge and support, and communication confidence (Study 1). Promotoras participating in the first study were then asked to hold at least 2 group conversations about organ donation and donor designation with mature Latinas (Study 2). Fifty-two group discussions were held with 375 attendees. Descriptive statistics, means and standard deviations and counts and percents, were used as appropriate, to categorize the samples. The Paired Sample t-test statistic was used to assess changes in knowledge of and support for organ donation, and confidence discussing donation and promoting donor designation from pre- to post-test.

Results:

Increases in knowledge and support were observed from pre- to post-test, however these changes did not reach statistical significance. A statistically significant increase in communiation confidence was found (692.1 (pre) to 852.3 (post); p=.01). The module was well-received, with most participants deeming it well-organized, presenting new information, and providing realistic and helpful portrayals of donation conversations (Study 1). The trained promotora-led group discussion about organ donation resulted in increased support of organ donation in promotoras and mature Latinas from pre- to post-test. Knoweldge of the steps to become an organ donor and belief that the process is easy to do increased in mature Latinas from pre- to post-test 30.7% and 15.2% respectively (Study 2). Twenty-one attendees (0.06%) submitted completed organ donation registration forms.

Conclusions:

This evaluation provides preliminary support for the module’s direct and indirect impact. The need for additional modifications to and future evaluations of the module are discussed.