Analysis of donor versus nondonor demographics.

A retrospective analysis of the demographic features of all potential organ donors over a 3-year period (1994-1996) at one organ procurement organization was conducted. The potential donor pool of 495 people was 42% female and 58% male, with a slight difference in consent by gender. The mean income difference between donors and nondonors was less than $3000 per year (obtained from zip code census data). Educational achievement affected donation at the lowest educational levels. Cause of death influenced donation, with motor vehicle crash victims donating more often. The strongest factor in consent for donation was ethnicity; whites were more likely to donate than were other ethnic groups. The combination of gender, ethnicity, and cause of death improved the probability of determining a positive outcome to 63%. Demographic information on donors and nondonors can increase public and professional understanding as well as influence decision making to improve donation.