Ghaida Jabri*, Alaa Sandokji, Nourah Alzughaibi, Ibrahim Alsehli, Hanan Neyaz, Khadijah Alhusaini, Mohammed Jabri and Mohammed Kareems
Background: Although organ transplantation is considered as the only preferable treatment for end-stage organ disease, there are not many organ donors among Saudis.
Objectives: To assess knowledge and attitude of Saudis in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, towards organ donation and to determine factors intervene with willingness of family to donate a member’s organ.
Methods: A cross-sectional study, data were collected through a valid structured interview questionnaire from 290 participants during organ donation campaign in May 2015. The questionnaire included socio-demographicdata and data about participants’ awareness and knowledge on organ donation. Data were analyzed and compared by participants’ sex using appropriate statistical tests.
Results: Of the interviewed 385 Saudis, 290 agreed to participate in the study with a response rate of 76.3%. The mean age of the participants was 27.2 ± 8.8 years. The study revealed 74.1% of the participants were willing to donate their organs with no significant differences between males and females, although only 2.7% of them reported to have a donation card. Religion, money, and age of the recipient appeared to have no role in their willing of organ donation. However, lack of awareness (21.7%), family refusal (20.6%) and fear of unknown (19.7%) were the most important barriers of organ donation.
Conclusions: The study showed a considerable number of participants were willing to donate their organs that religion and financial reasons were not factors. More organ donation campaigns are needed to maximize public positive beliefs.
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