INTRODUCTION: Media are main allies to encourage donation and transplantation. We sought to quantify the presence in the media of the topic "Donation and transplantation (D/Tx)" during the period 2005 to 2007 and to determine the relationship between the volume of information issued by the media and indexes related to the topic. METHODS: We conducted a systematic recording of the news on the topic of D/Tx in print, radio, and television during 2005 to 2007. RESULTS: There was an increased presence in the media by 100% in 2005 and 2006, and by 200% in 2007. The presence in print media was greater than radio (249 +/- 31.5 vs 131 +/- 5.49; P = .05) or television (249 +/- 31.5 vs 92 +/- 7.12; P = .01). We observed a positive correlation between the total number of contacts versus the number of registered volunteer donors (R(2) = 0.9713) and number of contacts versus total number of transplants from cadaveric donors (CTX; R(2) = 0905). The index CTX per million population increased by 30% (2006 vs 2005) and 100% (2007 vs 2005). The percent of family refusals fell from 41% in 2005 to 34% in 2006 and to 31% in 2007. The rate of donors per million population grew steadily from 1.8 in 2005 to 2.3 in 2006, and to 3.6 in 2007. CONCLUSION: The sustained increase in D/Tx briefing as a strategy of Sistema de Procura de Organos y Tejidos has helped to foster a positive perception that is reflected in the increased rate of donation and transplantation in Venezuela.
INTRODUCTION: Media are main allies to encourage donation and transplantation. We sought to quantify the presence in the media of the topic "Donation and transplantation (D/Tx)" during the period 2005 to 2007 and to determine the relationship between the volume of information issued by the media and indexes related to the topic. METHODS: We conducted a systematic recording of the news on the topic of D/Tx in print, radio, and television during 2005 to 2007. RESULTS: There was an increased presence in the media by 100% in 2005 and 2006, and by 200% in 2007. The presence in print media was greater than radio (249 +/- 31.5 vs 131 +/- 5.49; P = .05) or television (249 +/- 31.5 vs 92 +/- 7.12; P = .01). We observed a positive correlation between the total number of contacts versus the number of registered volunteer donors (R(2) = 0.9713) and number of contacts versus total number of transplants from cadaveric donors (CTX; R(2) = 0905). The index CTX per million population increased by 30% (2006 vs 2005) and 100% (2007 vs 2005). The percent of family refusals fell from 41% in 2005 to 34% in 2006 and to 31% in 2007. The rate of donors per million population grew steadily from 1.8 in 2005 to 2.3 in 2006, and to 3.6 in 2007. CONCLUSION: The sustained increase in D/Tx briefing as a strategy of Sistema de Procura de Organos y Tejidos has helped to foster a positive perception that is reflected in the increased rate of donation and transplantation in Venezuela.