A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge and Attitudes About Organ Donation and Transplantation in an Urban Population in a Low-Income Country

Abstract

Uganda's Health Sector Development Plan (2015/16 through 2019/2020) noted that most referrals for treatment abroad were for organ transplant services that cost the government >5.6 million USD. The government of Uganda has invested in building the capacity for organ donation and transplantation services by training human resources personnel and setting up infrastructure in Kampala, where these services can be accessed. However, there is no information on the readiness of communities and the scientific community to embrace (communities) or undertake (science) organ transplantation in the country. We set out to assess knowledge and attitudes about organ donation and transplantation among the urban population in Kampala. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 395 participants from the urban population of Kampala at Garden City Mall, Wandegeya market, and Nakawa market from 28 May through 7 June 2021. We asked about knowledge of organ donation and transplantation, collected sociodemographic data, and performed a sentiment analysis of participants' attitudes toward organ donation and transplantation. The M:F ratio of participants was 1:1; the majority (55.9%) of participants were Baganda, two-thirds of participants knew about organ donation, and 90% of participants did not know of any government policy on organ donation and transplantation. Radio/television was the most common source of information, and the kidney was the most frequently transplanted organ. Overall, there were 94.3% and 93.2% positive sentiments toward organ transplantation and organ donation, respectively. The need for stricter laws governing organ donation and transplantation, corruption, and fear were the main negative sentiments expressed by participants. Sensitization of the community is required regarding government policy on organ donation and transplantation, and this should be communicated through radio/television and social media. There was a positive attitude toward organ donation and transplantation.