Knowledge and Attitude Towards Corneal Donation: Saudi medical students' perspective.

Khalid M Aloudah,Sajida Agha,Syed Waqas H Shah,Abdulaziz A Ataweel

doi:10.18295/squmj.4.2021.056

Abstract

ObjectivesTo attain more local corneal donations, awareness of corneal donations must be raised among doctors and medical students. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of medical students regarding corneal donations.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among male fifth- and final-year medical students at the College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia, between August and October 2019. Non-probability convenience sampling was used and an English-language self-administered questionnaire was administered to evaluate different aspects of the participants’ knowledge regarding and attitudes towards corneal donation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and independent samples t-test.ResultsA total of 141 students participated in this study (response rate: 53%). A mean score of 3.24 ± 1.86 was achieved by the participants on the knowledge test. Approximately 47% of the sample correctly recognised that people who die of AIDS cannot donate an eye. The most common reason for eye donations was to provide vision to a blind person (47%), while a lack of understanding of benefits to others (55%) and religious beliefs (44%) were seen barriers. The internet was identified by 56% as the most common source of information. There was no significant difference in the knowledge of fifth-year and final-year medical students (3.31 ± 1.84 versus 3.17 ± 1.89; P = 0.65).ConclusionThis study showed a low level of knowledge of corneal donations among the participants. Raising awareness among medical students is important to increase donation rates. However, media and the internet are not enough to achieve this. Basic knowledge of corneal donations to students by organising awareness-raising activities and motivating them for voluntary participation is important to fill this knowledge gap.

Highlights

Corneal diseases are substantial causes of visual impairment and blindness, commonly reported in developing countries worldwide.[1,2] Corneal transplantation is the most effective method to treat and restore the sight of blind patients with corneal disease
Our study participants have a mean score of 3.24 out of 12 on the background knowledge test part of the questionnaire with a standard deviation of 1.86 that shows a poor level of knowledge (Table 1)
A corneal donation is considered a noble cause in all types of organ donations, the literature suggests a shortage of corneas, especially in developing countries.[16]

Summary

Introduction

Corneal diseases are substantial causes of visual impairment and blindness, commonly reported in developing countries worldwide.[1,2] Corneal transplantation is the most effective method to treat and restore the sight of blind patients with corneal disease. This can be achieved through the support of eye donors. Knowledge regarding corneal donation varies from person to person and depends on the culture In this regard, awareness of the doctors regarding eye donation is an important step to attain more local level corneal donations. Studies conducted among student populations on eye donation found a lack of awareness.[7,8]

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Discussion

Conclusion