Awareness, Beliefs and Barriers of Organ Donation among Saudis in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia

Ghaida Jabri,Alaa Sandokji,Ibrahim Alsehli,Nourah Alzughaibi

doi:10.4172/2380-5439.1000187

Abstract

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.

Highlights

The development of organ transplantation in the second half of the 20th century has been a remarkable achievement [1]
In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT), established in 1984, and it was known as National Kidney Foundation with the objective to observe activities of organ donation and transplantation in Saudi Arabia
All participants were Saudis and of at least 18 year of age, who visiting the site of the campaign between 6 pm to 10 pm for two days, were interviewed at the entrance before heading to the awareness part of the organ donation campaign

Summary

Introduction

The development of organ transplantation in the second half of the 20th century has been a remarkable achievement [1]. Recently; organ transplantation is one of the most effective options for those with an end-stage organ failure [2]. Its success has been basically dependent on public awareness, support and active participation. Without these factors, the efficiency of organ transplantation and the consequent saving or extension of lives would have undoubtedly suffered adversely [3]. Despite huge efforts of education and motivation of public about organ donation, the organ donors still not covering the growing waiting list [8,9,10], and insufficiency of organ donation in Saudi Arabia still a major barrier for transplantation. Organ transplantation is considered as the only preferable treatment for end-stage organ disease, there are not many organ donors among Saudis

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Methods

Results

Conclusion