Assessment of Organ Donation Intention Among Employees Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior: Application of Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

Background: Organ transplantation is one of the options to increase the life expectancy and quality of life (QOL) of patients waiting on the organ transplant list. The lack of body parts for transplants remains a worldwide concern. This study was designed and implemented to assess organ donation intention among the staff of government and non-government offices in Qom based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods: Using stratified random sampling, this cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted on 440 employees in Qom, Iran, in 2022. The data collection instrument was a researcher-designed questionnaire, including demographic characteristics, possession of an organ donation card or blood donation history, and constructs of the TPB. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis, and structural equation modeling. Results: The mean±standard deviation age of participants was 38.21±3.6. The results showed that 29.2% of participants (n=116) had a signed blood donation card, and 107 participants (27%) had a blood donation history. The structural model fits the data well [χ2 /df=2.84, P<0.001), CFI=0.916, GFI=0.902, RMSEA=0.053]. The TPB constructs could predict 75% of the variance of the behavioral intention (P<0.001). Finally, no statistically significant relationship was found between knowledge and intention to donate organs (β=0.003, P=0.93). Conclusion: The result of the regression analysis of the relationship between TPB variables and organ donation intention indicated that perceived behavioral control (PBC) had a great influence on the organ donation intention of government and non-government employees.