Socioeconomic status of Iranian living unrelated kidney donors: a multicenter study.

Renal transplantation is the best treatment modality for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. In Iran, a living unrelated donor (LURD) transplant program was started in 1988, because of the shortage of living related and cadaver donors. In this study, we evaluated the socioeconomic status of LURD in Iran. We enrolled 478 LURDs from 30 transplant centers between October 2005 and March 2006. The demographic data, education, employment, motivation, and satisfaction status were asked. Economic status was assessed using criteria of the statistics center of Iran. Ninety-six percent of donors were referred from the Kidney Foundation of Iran (KFI). The mean age of the donors was 27 +/- 4.8 years and 85% were men (n=408). Fifty-one percent were smokers, 82% married, and 79% the breadwinner; 29% were unemployed; 2.7%, 90.8%, and 6.5% were illiterate, school graduates, and university graduates, respectively. Coercion was documented for only one donor. Financial issues were the most frequent motive. Among them, 91% were satisfied with the donation. Finally, 53% suggested kidney donation to others. Of donors, 62% were living below the poverty line. In the Iran model, the KFI is a bridge that connects recipients and donors. As a result, there is no middle man or broker introducing donors to recipients. The transplantation team knows nothing about money transactions between recipient and donor. Most donors were satisfied with the donation. However, establishment of a government-regulated program for social support of donors, such as lifelong health insurance may be a compensation for donors.