A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE REGARDING ORGAN DONATION AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING A PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE IN PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIA

Abstract

 Background and Objectives: Organ donation is a complex issue that involves ethical, legal and cultural considerations. It is crucial to understand the awareness and attitude regarding organ donation among general population as the nal say in organ donation is theirs. In the recent years many initiates have been taken by health organizations to bring out a positive attitude among the general population. Studies conducted in this area will help us to understand where we are lagging in bringing about a positive attitude among general population. The objectives of this study are to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation among patients attending general OPD of a Government Primary Health Centre in Pathanamthitta district and to nd any relation between socio-demographic factors and willingness for organ donation. Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was done. A structured online questionnaire was used to collect data regarding sociodemographic details, knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation via face to face interview of the patients attending Primary Health Centre. Universal sampling method was used. Descriptive analysis of the data collected was done using IBM SPSS. Results: In our study all the participants were aware about organ donation but knowledge regarding organ donation was limited to only half the study population. The study found that although all participants were aware about organ donation only 77.3% felt the need for organ donation to be promoted. Out of the people who felt organ donation need to be promoted only 56.1% were willing to donate organ after death. Even smaller percent (22.7%) was willing to donate when alive. Further, there were signicant associations between age, gender, education, economic status of the participants with their intention to donate organs. Conclusion: The study found that all participants were aware about organ donation although knowledge regarding organ donation is limited to half the study sample. Only half of the study participants were willing to donate organ after death majority of participants were not willing to donate organ when alive as they felt it is detrimental to the health of donor. Statistically signicant association is established between age, gender, socioeconomic status and willingness to donate organ.