Implementing an Evidence-Based Education Program on HIV Organ Donation

In 2013, President Obama signed the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act that reversed a federal ban on organ donation among persons with HIV. Previously, the 1988 National Organ Transplant Act had banned any individuals with a history of HIV and/or AIDS from donating organs. Public awareness of the HOPE Act is limited; and there are few registered donors in the HIV community. The purpose of this DNP project was to educate members of a LGBTQ community about organ donation and the HOPE Act. A virtual education program was presented to LGBTQ participants who attended a clinic in Orange County, CA. Change in knowledge/ attitude was assessed pre- and post-program. Participants were recruited via social media and were mostly White, HIV+, male and had a college education. Nine participants attended the program and completed the surveys and evaluation. An important finding of this doctoral project was that there was a lack of knowledge about organ donation and after attending the program, all participants expressed a desire to be a donor. There was also a great deal of interest in knowing more information about HIV organ donation and its outcomes. Healthcare providers need to be aware of the donor opportunities that are now possible and communicate this information to patients. Community agencies should provide the most current education to all LGBTQ community members especially those living with HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: HIV organ donation, the HOPE Act education