Background: The HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act permits persons living with HIV (PLWH) to donate organs within research protocols. Motivations and concerns related to living donation (LD) may be unique among PLWH. Understanding these issues is necessary in order to obtain informed consent and ensure appropriate donor advocacy.

Methods: We interviewed PLWH who had indicated willingness to be a living donor in a previous survey regarding HIV+ transplantation. Interviews were conducted until reaching thematic saturation (n=20). Interviews elicited motivations, perceived benefits, and concerns related to LD. Thematic codes were inductively identified and organized into themes and subthemes. Two coders analyzed the interviews and reconciled differences in coding by consensus.

Results: Many motivations for LD and perceived risks and benefits were consistent with those identified in studies of HIV-uninfected living donors (Table 1). However, some were specific to HIV (Table 2). HIV-specific motivations for LD included solidarity with potential HIV+ recipients and a desire to overcome HIV-related stigma. HIV-specific benefits of LD included conferring a sense of normalcy to the donor. HIV-specific concerns about LD included the possibility of a prolonged recovery period and increased risk of organ failure due to HIV. Notably, there was also concern about causing harm to the recipient due to HIV superinfection.

Conclusions: PLWH had unique motivations, perceived benefits, and concerns about LD. These factors should be addressed in research protocols, informed consent processes, and the education and training of independent living donor advocates.

CITATION INFORMATION: Rasmussen S., Henderson M., Bollinger J., Seaman S., Durand C., Segev D., Sugarman J. Perceptions, Motivations, and Concerns about Living Organ Donation among People Living with HIV Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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