Factors Influencing Individuals' Decision-Making Regarding Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Hematopoietic stem cell donation in social media: Content analysis of YouTube videos

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to identify how hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) donation is portrayed in YouTube content and analyze the characteristics of these materials.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A search was conducted on YouTube using the terms "hematopoietic stem cell" and "donation" in the Korean language, yielding 113 videos for analysis. General characteristics (video length and view counts) and video attributes (uploader types, speakers, donation methods, and content purpose) were analyzed. Content analysis was performed to examine the topics covered and experiences portrayed in the videos.

RESULTS

Personal uploaders contributed the largest proportion of videos (39.82%), with laypersons being the predominant speakers (52.21%). In information delivery videos, the necessity of donation and transplantation was the most frequently mentioned theme, while positive emotions after donation were the predominant theme in experience-sharing videos. Both informal and official videos presented diverse content regarding HSC donation.

DISCUSSION

YouTube serves as an effective platform for disseminating HSC donation information through both informal and official channels, though content could be enhanced by providing more comprehensive coverage of critical aspects such as post-donation care and commitment implications.

Raising awareness may increase the likelihood of hematopoietic stem cell donation: a nationwide survey using artificial intelligence

BACKGROUND

In Italy, the demand for allogeneic transplantation exceeds the number of compatible donors in the Italian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (IBMDR). This study aimed to explore the knowledge, beliefs, opinions, values, and feelings of the Italian population regarding stem cell donation.

METHODS

An online survey was shared via social media. Respondents were retrospectively identified as registered on the IBMDR (donor group) or never registered (non-donor group). Statistical analyses confirmed the relationship between knowledge level and willingness to donate. Six machine learning classifiers were trained using questionnaire responses to predict the probability of IBMDR registration.

RESULTS

A total of 1518 respondents participated. Characteristics identified in the non-donor group were a lower level of knowledge regarding donation needs (51.7% vs 24.4%, p < 0.001) and negative feelings such as fear (Z = - 2.2642, p = 0.02), confusion (Z = 4.4821, p < 0.001), and uncertainty (Z = 3.3425, p < 0.001). Higher knowledge predicted a greater likelihood of IBMDR enrollment. Machine learning analysis showed an AUC ranging from 0.65 to 0.81, depending on the classifier.

CONCLUSIONS

The results underscore the need to improve strategies to raise awareness and knowledge of stem cell donation among the Italian population.

Knowledge and attitude of dental school faculties towards stem cell therapies and their applications

Background

Stem cells are characterized by their ability to self-renew and differentiate across multiple lineages. Knowledge about these cells and their potential is an important factor driving people to support their use. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding stem cell therapies, education, and donation among faculty members of the College of Dentistry at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A self-completed questionnaire was distributed among the faculty members, in which questions about demographic data, basic knowledge of stem cells as well as attitudes towards education and participation in stem cell-related research, and tissue donation were raised.

Results

A total of 102 participants responded to the questionnaire. Most participants (62.7%) ranked their stem cell knowledge as basic, despite correctly answering most of the knowledge questions. More than half of faculty mentioned a lack of stem cell-related activities in their courses (59.8%), and most showed strong support for including related education in postgraduate programs (71.6%). Noteworthy, 64% of participants reported interest in stem cell research and 74.5% were willing to donate their tissue for research purposes. The mean ranks of knowledge scores were significantly higher in subjects who have related lectures in undergraduate courses (p < 0.05), and those with high interest in research participation and tissue donation (p < 0.0001), and (p < 0.05) respectively. Most participants (>60%) were not aware about the current applications of stem cell research and therapy in Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion

Most participants had an acceptable degree of knowledge about stem cells and showed a positive attitude to their education and participation in research. Additionally, knowledge scores have significantly and positively influenced those attitudes. More effort is required to promote the presence of local facilities for researchers to participate in stem cell-related research. The results of this study can be used as a foundation for evidence-informed policymaking within dental schools and research institutions.

Public awareness and understanding of stem cell treatments available in Saudi Arabia and their trust in hospitals and research centers involved in stem cell research-a cross sectional study

Introduction

Although stem cell research and therapeutic applications hold great promise for medical advancements, and have rapidly progressed globally, there remains a lack of genuine public awareness of the status of this subject in Saudi Arabia. Successful integration of stem cell therapy into healthcare relies on public awareness, understanding, and trust. Therefore, we aimed in this cross-sectional study to assess the public's knowledge, awareness, trust, support, participation, and confidence in stem cell treatments and centers involved in it.

Materials and methods

A voluntary questionnaire of 20 questions was distributed randomly via social media outlets.

Results

Three thousand five hundred eighty four individuals participated in the survey, with approximately half of them falling within the age range of 35-50 years (46.71%). Majority of the participants, 90.71%, would like to know more about stem cell therapy and more than half of the participants (56.94%) were unfamiliar with the idea, and a comparable proportion (50.41%) expressed concerns about the safety of stem cell therapy. A lower level of awareness, indicated by a score of 5, was evenly distributed across all age groups and genders. However, regardless of gender, older participants-especially those 50 years of age or older-tended to report higher levels of confidence, trust, and support than participants in other age groups. Moreover, trust, support, participation, and confidence score for those attained high school or less was statistically significantly lower than those attained master's or PhD degree. Of the participants, 33.57% had either received stem cell therapy themselves or known someone who had; about 24.07% of them reported that it was a cosmetic type of treatment.

Conclusion

The study emphasizes the persistent need for awareness and educational initiatives to minimize the lack of public awareness and understanding of approved stem cell treatments in Saudi Arabia. It advocates for increased education, transparency, and communication to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance public trust to ensure the understanding of successful treatment.