Awareness and Attitudes toward Organ Donation in Rural Puducherry, India

Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Organ Donation Among Tunisian Adults: Results of a National Survey

OBJECTIVES

Attitudes and knowledge toward organ donation can influence a person's willingness to donate. The aim of this study was to assess attitudes and knowledge regarding organ donation among Tunisian adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a crosssectional survey at the national level from January 23 to February 15, 2017, among 1026 Tunisian adults. We used a standardized questionnaire to collect data by phone call. We performed statistical analyses with Stata software (version 11).

RESULTS

The study included 495 male and 531 female participants. Forty-one percent of participants were 18 to 30 years old. In total, 81.7% had heard about organ donation. Fewer than half of respondents (47.8%) were aware that organ donation is regulated. In total, 80.7% accepted to donate their organs after death, and 32.2% had mentioned their opinion to relatives or friends. Only 1% had added their donor status on their national identity cards.

CONCLUSIONS

Tunisian adults seem to have positive attitudes regarding organ donation. However, the proportion of respondents who included their donor status on their national identity cards was low. It is important to enhance information and education on organ donation in an effort to mitigate the shortage of organs.

Knowledge and Attitude Toward Organ Donation Among Interns and Residents in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Gujarat, India

Background The study aims to assess knowledge and attitudes toward organ donation among medical school interns and postgraduate residents in a tertiary care hospital in Anand, Gujarat, India. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 medical school interns and residents of Shree Krishna Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Anand, Gujarat, India, between March 2021 and March 2022 using a paper questionnaire comprising questions regarding attitudes and beliefs toward organ donation. Results Among the 250 participants in this study, 124 (49.6%) were residents, and 126 (50.4%) were interns, with a mean age of 24.18 ± 2.02 years. Of all participants, 88.8% were willing to donate their organs; the main reason was to help people in need. However, the main reason for the refusal to donate organs was the fear of organs being misused/trafficked. Another finding was that 77.2% of the participants had no issue regarding who receives their organs. Only 25.2% of participants had correct knowledge and were aware of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 of India, and 66% felt that the current curriculum does not provide sufficient learning experience related to organ donation. Conclusions There was less awareness regarding organ donation, despite the willingness to donate organs. Thus, it is essential to increase awareness through curriculum and various workshops to make the process of pledging organs more accessible among those willing to donate. This will play a significant role in addressing the problem and, in turn, help those in need.

Barriers and Enablers to Joining the National Organ Donation Registry Among Patient Population at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Peshawar, Pakistan

Background Organ transplantation is a life-saving therapy for patients with end-stage organ failure. However, the demand for organs far exceeds their availability, leading to longer waiting times and increased mortality rates. Pakistan faces a similar situation, with a shortage of organ donors and several barriers to therapeutic organ donation, including cultural, religious, and political ones. Objective The objective of this study was to understand the barriers and enablers to joining the national organ donation registry among patient populations at a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. The findings can then guide targeted educational campaigns to improve the state of therapeutic organ transplants in the country. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Outpatient Departments of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, targeting all patients and visitors aged 18 to 60 who presented to the outpatient departments of the hospital. A modified and validated questionnaire was used to collect data, which were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: The study analyzed the attitudes of 342 individuals, among which 82.18% had not heard about Pakistan's Organ Donation Registry, 58.09% agreed with organ donation, and 23.68% suggested they would like to join the registry someday. Religious beliefs and the lack of knowledge about the laws related to organ donation stood out as statistically significant barriers to joining the national organ donation registry of Pakistan (p<0.05). The study also found that the willingness to donate was significantly higher among those who themselves encouraged organ donation and were willing to do so if the country's system were to support it (p<0.05). Conclusion The majority of participants had not heard of the organ donation registry, and a lack of knowledge about the legal framework and religious beliefs were significant barriers to joining the registry. This is hindering the growth of therapeutic organ transplantation in Pakistan. In addition, the willingness to donate was higher among those who supported organ donation and believed in its benefits. Increasing awareness and promoting a culture of organ donation in Pakistan can help address the shortage of organ donors and improve the state of therapeutic organ transplantation in the country.

Assessment of the Desire and Readiness of Taif Residents for Heart Donation After Death

Background/aim Heart transplantation is often the only preferable treatment for end-stage heart failure (HF); however, there are insufficient organ donors in Saudi Arabia. In this study, we aimed to understand the desire and readiness of Taif populations for heart donation after death. Methods We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study among Taif residents in November 2022. A questionnaire designed from a previous survey was distributed among the participants. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data and questions assessing their desire for heart donation. Results The study included 405 subjects who have accepted to participate in the study. About half of the participants were aged 18 to 32 years (43.5%), most were females, were non-employed, and had a university degree. Of them, 86.2% accepted the concept of organ transplantation, 81% accepted the concept of heart transplantation, and one-third of the participants desired to donate their hearts. The participants with a university degree reported significantly less acceptance of the concept of heart transplantation (p-value=0.026), and those employed showed a significantly stronger desire for organ donation to a relative after death (p-value=0.049). In addition, younger participants showed a significantly higher willingness for organ donation to a relative or non-relative after death (p-value=0.017 and 0.009, respectively). Employed participants were significantly more willing to undergo heart transplantation surgery if needed (p-value=0.044). Conclusion Awareness campaigns could be established in the community and popularized during contact with the health system to build trust in the organ donation system, stress the importance of heart donation in saving the lives of more patients, and reduce the shortage of organ transplantation.

Barriers towards deceased organ donation among Indians living globally: an integrative systematic review using narrative synthesis

OBJECTIVES

To understand the barriers towards deceased organ donation among Indians living globally.

DESIGN

Integrative systematic review using narrative synthesis.

DATA SOURCES

CINAHL, Medline full-text, PsycInfo, Scopus, Global Health, Web of Science, and PubMed Central, Indian Journal of Transplantation and Google Scholar.

TIME PERIOD

1 January 1994 to 31 December 2021.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals of Indian origin living globally.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine studies were included with more than 29 000 participants and quality of the studies were assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool. Though majority of the participants had knowledge toward organ donation with a positive influence on willingness, the gap between knowledge and willingness was huge, with minimal registration influenced by the complex sociocultural constructs. Various sociocultural constructs such as family, fear and mistrust, religion, and bodily issues play a vital role. Differences were identified in willingness to donate and register between southern and other regions of India. Indian's organ donation behaviour in other geographical locations differed based on the socioreligious background of the country they lived in such as in Malaysia, Canada and the UK. However, they were collective in decision-making and had complex sociocultural interference irrespective of the country the individual lived which differed only in their next generations.

CONCLUSION

Though this study showed the complex relationship, and its influences on organ donation behaviour, lacunae were identified to further understand how such complex interactions determine or inform the behaviour. Also, methodological issues were identified, where this particular population outside India were collectively studied with their neighbouring population which are not homogenous. Studies in India majorly addressed a similar aim using similar methods which produced repetition of studies leading to lack of diversified, wider and in-depth research. Therefore, while this systematic review addressed the barriers toward organ donation among Indians living globally, it also informs various gaps in research and also methodological issues.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019155274.

The Act of Prevention: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perception Among Caretakers of Kidney Disease Patients in Rural Wardha District of Central India

Background

There is a continual rise in the prevalence of non-cancerous conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) owing to an enormous load of diabetes, hypertension, and vascular diseases. A positive attitude and healthy lifestyle for CKD prevention can only be followed when the masses are well aware and educated about the disease. This study aimed to compare, correlate, and evaluate the distribution of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions among relatives or caretakers of patients with kidney disease or at risk of the disease.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study aimed at obtaining data on the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions using the Chronic Kidney Diseases Screening Index questionnaire from the relatives of CKD patients. All data were computed and analyzed using SPSS version 28.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

Results

The majority of the relatives of CKD patients had poor knowledge (63.6%) and poor attitude (51.6%) levels. On the contrary, most respondents had good practices (52.8%) level toward the risk for CKD. A significant correlation was noted between education and knowledge (p < 0.050). A significant association was also observed between education and occupation with attitude (p < 0.001 and p < 0.050, respectively). Additionally, a significant association was noted between age and perception (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Informed and well-educated populations are less prone to acquire or progress to CKD. From this study, we can understand the need for improvement in public knowledge, which has the potential to help in saving the lives of many patients progressing toward end-stage renal diseases.

Gender and educational attainment influence willingness to donate organs among older Nigerians: a questionnaire survey

Introduction

disparity between the demand for and the supply of organs for transplantation remains a major public health issue of global concern. This study evaluated the knowledge and determinants of willingness to donate organs among outpatient clinic attendees in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

Methods

a 43-item semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was designed to assess awareness and willingness of individuals attending Neurology, Psychiatry and Geriatrics Outpatient clinics to donate bodily organs for transplantation. Association between participants' characteristics and willingness towards organ donation was investigated using logistic regression models.

Results

a total of 412 participants were interviewed and mean age was 46.3 (16.1) years. There were 229 (55.6%) females and 92.5% had at least 6 years of formal education. Overall, 330 (80.1%) were aware of donation of at least one organ for transplantation purposes but only 139 (33.7%) were willing to donate organ. In analyses, adjusting for sex, marital status, family setting and educational status, male gender AOR [2.066(1.331-3.2016)] secondary education [AOR 5.57 (1.205-25.729) p= 0.028] and post-secondary education [AOR-6.98 (1.537-31.702) p= 0.012 were independently associated with willingness towards organ donation.

Conclusion

the survey revealed high level of awareness but poor willingness towards organ donation among older Nigerians attending outpatient clinics of a premier tertiary hospital. Male gender and educational attainment were significantly associated with willingness to donate. Educational programs that particularly target women and less educated older Nigerians are needed to promote organ donation in Nigeria.

Barriers towards organ donor registration and consent among people of Indian origin living globally: a systematic review and integrative synthesis-protocol

INTRODUCTION

The need for organs is comparatively higher among people of Indian origin due to the higher prevalence of end-stage organ failure. In spite of the higher need, they have a lower number of organ donors. Studies have been carried out among people of Indian origin living globally to understand the reasons for the low donation rate, but there has been no systematic review that has integrated all of these studies to synthesise the current literature. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine the barriers towards organ donor registration and consent among Indians living globally.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A systematic search will be conducted using the following relevant databases namely CINHAL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed Central, Global Health and Grey literature. Studies from 1994 that satisfy our inclusion criteria will be included. Two reviewers will conduct the screening, data extraction and quality assessment of the studies; in event of any disagreement between the two reviewers at any stage, the third reviewer will reconcile any disagreements and consensus will be made.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

As this study includes only secondary data, ethical approval for secondary data usage has been sought. This study will use Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines to report and the study outcomes will be disseminated through a relevant peer-review publication, related conferences and also to various non-governmental organisations globally which are working with this particular community; following which further research can be developed based on this evidence and also helps in building a culturally competent strategy.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019155274.

Can financial rewards complement altruism to raise deceased organ donation rates?

BACKGROUND

Organ supply-demand in developing countries worldwide has continued to widen. Hence, using a large survey (n ¼ 10,412), this study seeks to investigate whether human psychology could be used to inculcate philanthropy to raise deceased organ donation rates.

METHODS

Three models were constructed to examine multidimensional relationships among the variables. Structural equation modeling was applied to estimate the direct and indirect influence of altruism, financial incentives, donation perception, and socioeconomic status simultaneously on willingness to donate deceased organs.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The study was approved by the University of Malaya ethics committee.

RESULTS

The results show that altruism amplifies the impact of socioeconomic status and donation perception on willingness to donate. Also, the results show that financial incentives cannot complement altruism to raise organ donation rates. Hence, investing in education and public awareness enhances altruism in people, which then increases the propensity to donate.

CONCLUSION

Evidence suggests that governments should allocate resources to increase public awareness about organ donation. Awareness programs about the importance of philanthropic donations and the participation of medical consultants at hospitals in the processes form the foundation of such a presumptive approach.

Family First: Asian Americans' Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Deceased Organ Donation

Asian Americans have substantial transplantation needs but have the lowest rates of organ donation in the USA. As the shortage of transplantable organs persists, the rate of deceased donation by Asian Americans has not kept pace with that of the general population. This report is a qualitative study of organ donation-related attitudes and beliefs of three Asian ethnic groups located in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area: Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese Americans. Guided by a Community Advisory Board representing these groups, we conducted 9 focus groups with a total of 64 participants and subsequent thematic analyses. Six major themes emerged: (1) positive views about organ donation, (2) previous exposure to organ donation, (3) primacy of the family in decision making, (4) mistrust of the healthcare and donation systems, (5) religious and cultural beliefs concerning the body, and (6) isolation from mainstream American society. Although participants expressed commonalities and beliefs in line with other American racial and ethnic groups, we also identified unique beliefs, such as familial influence, religious and cultural concerns regarding body wholeness and the dead, and underlying reasons for medical mistrust, such as a belief in a black market. The study's findings challenge the dominant educational and awareness campaigns about organ donation decision making that focus on individual autonomy and overlook the need for incorporating the specific content and message delivery needs of Asian Americans. This study is the first to explore attitudes and knowledge about posthumous organ donation among US Asian American populations in at least a decade.

Awareness and attitude to deceased kidney donation among health-care workers in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background:

Access to renal replacement therapy by the increasing population of patients with end-stage kidney disease across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, has become a major public health challenge. Although deceased kidney donation constitutes a viable source, its uptake by patients is contingent on its acceptance by health-care workers.

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to assess the awareness and attitude to deceased kidney donation among health-care workers in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 470 staff of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria (attending a 1-week seminar), selected by universal sampling. Data were collected with a set of pretested, self-administered, and semi-structured questionnaire.

Results:

The mean age of the respondents was 34.1 ± 7.8 years, and most of them (77.7%) were aged <40 years. Majority of respondents were males (60.6%), married (76.5%), and Moslems (73.5%). While almost all the respondents (98.1%) were aware of deceased kidney donation, only about half (51.9%) were willing to accept deceased kidney donation. Furthermore, 43.4% were willing to give consent to donate deceased relative's kidney, and 26.1% were willing to carry an organ donation card. Predictors of willingness to accept deceased kidney donation were male sex, being a medical doctor or laboratory scientist and being a Moslem (Odds ratio >2, P < 0.05). The major disincentives reported were fear that it may not work (42%) and fear of disease transmission (37.0%).

Conclusion:

Periodic education of health-care workers on effectiveness and safety of deceased kidney donation is crucial to promoting its acceptance among them.