A Survey on the Attitudes, Beliefs and Knowledge regarding Organ Donation in Medical, Psychology and Degree College Students

Sharmada Nerlekar; Sagar Karia; Avinash De Sousa; Nilesh Shah

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2019

A Survey on the Attitudes, Beliefs and Knowledge regarding Organ Donation in Medical, Psychology and Degree College Students

Sharmada Nerlekar, Sagar Karia, Avinash De Sousa, Nilesh Shah

Abstract :

Organ donation is now common medical procedure in most tertiary general hospitals. The aim of the study was to assess the awareness, beliefs, attitudes and knowledge about organ donation in medical undergraduate students, psychology pos graduate students and the general population and compare the three groups. All three groups were informed about the nature and purpose of the study and after their consent were administered a semi–structured questionnaire specially designed for the purpose of the study. The validated questionnaire collected data on socio–demographic profile and knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and awareness about organ donation. The data was statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square test where appropriate. The survey questionnaire was completed by 118 medical students, 102 psychology students and 102 members of the general population. A significantly greater number of medical and psychology students knew about kidney transplants than the general population. Awareness about bone marrow and pancreatic transplants was scarce in all three groups Significantly more medical students knew about organ transplant centers, live organ transplantation and awareness of ain death. Medical and psychology students were aware of organ trafficking far greater than the general population and could describe the same. Majority of three groups supported organ donation and said that they would sign up for organ donation. Majority of the participants in all groups (>85%) reported no recent change in their beliefs towards organ donation. Further larger studies in diverse samples across multiple centers shall be needed to corroborate the findings of the study.