Knowledge and Willingness for Organ Donation in the Middle Eastern Region: A Meta-analysis

Ahammed Mekkodathil,Ayman El-Menyar,Rajvir Singh,Brijesh Sathian,Hassan Al-Thani

doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00883-x

Abstract

Medical advancements over the past decades brought organ transplantation as a definitive therapy for different end-stage organ failure. However, non-availability of organs required for transplantation is a major challenge worldwide. We aimed to determine the knowledge and willingness to donate organs in various populations and settings in the Middle Eastern region. Literature searches were conducted on PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Google scholar electronic databases. Different combinations of search terms such as “organ donation”; “knowledge”, “awareness”; “beliefs”, “willingness”; and “attitude” along with the country names were used. Additional searches using reference lists of studies and review articles were conducted. Data were extracted using standardized excel form and pilot tested. Three authors independently abstracted the data using a data collection form. Results from different studies were pooled for the analysis when appropriate. The search yielded 1806 articles; 1000 duplicates and review articles were excluded, and a further 792 articles not relevant were excluded. Finally, 14 original studies met the inclusion criteria. Total pooled sample size for assessing knowledge was 6697 and for willingness was 8714. Pooled overall knowledge regarding organ donation was 69% with a 95% CI [64.5, 73.5]. Pooled overall willingness to donate organ was 49.8% with a 95% CI [41.3, 58.4]. Knowledge about organ donation and willingness to donate organs varies in different population and settings in the Middle East. These in fact are linked to multiple social factors ultimately leads to ‘consent’ for donating organs by a potential donor. Family’s influence; religious, traditional and spiritual beliefs; and status of ethnic, minority, and immigrant populace are the important determinants of the decision for organ donation. Understandings on social determinants in organ donation remain crucial and should be addressed while developing policies and organizational developments.

Highlights

Organ donation is a global scenario enabling transplantation of organs, cells, and tissues which are recognized as the optimal treatment for end-stage organ diseases (Shaheen and Souqiyyeh 2004)
Among the 14 included studies, knowledge was measured by administering a questionnaire which included the questions addressing various aspects of organ donation
The present study revealed a better willingness to donate organ in Middle Eastern countries when compared to the Western countries; the knowledge about organ donation was poor

Summary

Introduction

Organ donation is a global scenario enabling transplantation of organs, cells, and tissues which are recognized as the optimal treatment for end-stage organ diseases (Shaheen and Souqiyyeh 2004). First successful living and deceased kidney transplantations took place in Boston in 1954 and 1962, respectively, led by Dr Joseph Murray and Dr David Hume. The 1960s and 1970s witnessed more solid organ transplantation around the world, like lung, liver, pancreas, and heart transplantation. Better tolerance toward organ transplantation was achieved by the end of the last century (LiveOnNY (UNOS) 2015). This very brief history suggests that the medical entity of organ transplantation has been attaining more accountability in clinical grounds

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Conclusion