Analysis of organ donation willingness and its influencing factors for donation after citizen′s death in Hefei area

Abstract

Objective To investigate the knowledge and willingness of organ donation after citizen’s death in Hefei area, and to analyze the influencing factors of organ donation willingness. Methods The residents of 10 communities in 4 urban districts and 2 towns of Hefei city were selected. The community health service center was selected as the survey site. The random convenience sampling survey method was adopted to carry out the questionnaire survey on the community residents. The content of the questionnaire included demographic and sociological data, knowledge and willingness of organ donation. Residents were divided into the donation group and the non-donation group according to the survey results of the item 'whether they are willing to donate organs to save relatives and friends or those in need of treatment’ (excluding those who are not sure). The matching t test was used to compare the age of residents in the donation group and the non-donation group. The chi-square test was used to compare the gender, urban and rural differences, educational level, knowledge of organ donation procedures, perfection of relevant national laws, consent of family members, trust in relevant institutions, knowledge of donation approaches and influence of traditional concepts between the two groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results 7 520 residents were included in the questionnaire survey, with an average age of (35±10) years old (18-84 years old), including 3 824 males (50.8%). 4 150 urban residents (55.2%); The occupations were mainly retirees, farmers, workers, freelance and students, 1 570 (20.9%), 1 177 (15.6%), 1 140 (15.2%), 1 089 (14.5%) and 1 088 (14.5%), respectively. 4 262 (56.7%) had junior high school education or above. 79.6% of the residents had heard of organ donation (5 982/7 520), 85.7% of the residents did not know the organ donation process (6 444/7 520), 96.9% of the residents said that no one around had received organ donation (7 287/7 520). TV and newspaper were the main sources of organ donation knowledge, accounting for 57.3% (4 306/7 520) and 23.7% (1 784/7 520) respectively. 86.9% of the residents were willing to actively publicize the knowledge of organ donation to the people around them. 36.8% (2 766/7 520) of the residents were willing to sign the letter of intent for organ donation and 30.7% (2 308/7 520) of the residents were willing to donate organs to their relatives, friends or people in need of treatment. Age, differences between urban and rural areas, education level, lack of understanding of organ donation procedures, family members′ disapproval, distrust of relevant institutions, lack of understanding of donation approaches and influence of traditional concepts were all factors influencing residents′ willingness to donate organs (t=6.63, χ2=7.13, 6.87, 4.61, 14.88, 4.24, 11.81 and 10.53, P all <0.05). Conclusions There are many factors influencing residents′ willingness to donate organs, so it is of great importance to increase the publicity of organ donation knowledge through multiple channels and raise residents′ awareness of organ donation after citizens′ death. Key words: Donation after citizen′s Death; Organ transplantation; Donation willingness