UNDERSTANDING THE ORGAN DONATION LANDSCAPE: A STUDY OF MEDICAL STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVES IN PAKISTAN

2023:13:04,34-41. http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2023/13.04.468

Abstract

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To assess undergraduate medical students' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward organ donation and to further explore their differences with regard to the students' demographic characteristics. METHODOLOGY: A Cross-Sectional Study design was carried out from June through September 2023. The participants were enrolled from the medical, dental, and paramedic colleges of Punjab. The data was collected on a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was pre-tested prior to the start of the study. The data was collected online and further analyzed on SPSS version 28. All the data was qualitative, so the variables were reported in frequency and percentages. The Chi-square test was applied to see the association within or between study variables and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 152 students were enrolled in our study. Most of our participants represent the MBBS study program (80%). There was inconsistency in knowledge, attitude, and practice domains. Almost half (55.6%) of the students were aware of organ donation. In contrast, less than half of the students showed a positive attitude toward organ donation (45.5%) with regard to donating under special circumstances. The high percentage of willingness and motivation to become organ donors was reported in the group (below 18 years; 45.5%). The data reflects a high level of comfort and positive feelings about posthumous organ donation among a significant portion of participants. CONCLUSION: Our data presents various obstacles and perspectives regarding organ donation. While some participants voiced concerns, such as religious prohibitions, familial objections, and fears of disfigurement or loss of life, others mentioned a variety of "Other" impediments, indicating a broad spectrum of misgivings. However, the majority of respondents demonstrated a clear understanding of the noble purpose of organ donation, with the primary motivation being to save and extend human life. Overall, the findings point to the extent of continued efforts to raise awareness, educate the public, and address concerns to promote organ donation further and save lives.