Abstract
Background: End-stage renal disease, as one of the most serious and major health problems, does not have many treatment options available. One of the best treatment modalities used to cure this debilitating disease is kidney transplantation. However, with the continuous increase in number of patients diagnosed with it, there is not enough supply of the organ. The aim of our study is to assess knowledge about, attitude toward, and willingness to donate kidney among health science students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University in comparison to the general population in Jeddah and to investigate the factors that play a role on their willingness.Methods: This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study design conducted in 2019. Two target populations were included: King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences students and the general population in Jeddah. Data were collected via a self-administered, close-ended, structured, and previously validated questionnaire that contained 39 items divided into four sections. SPSS program version 22 was used in data analysis.Results: Out of 685 surveyed participants, 179 (26.1%) were willing to donate their kidney, with students showing a higher rate of willingness (N = 101; 32.3%) than the general population (N = 78; 21%). However, only 46 (6.7%) out of the total population hold an organ donor card. In bivariate analysis, it was found that knowledge significantly associated with a higher rate of willingness among the student population than the general population, while positive beliefs were associated with increased willingness in the general population than students. Positive attitude appeared to play a role in higher willingness among the general population and student population.Conclusion: There is a low perception of awareness regarding kidney donation in both populations of this study. The willingness rate of health science students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University and the general population was low when compared with other studies conducted internationally.
Highlights
The number of patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and documented on hemodialysis therapy in 2016 in Saudi Arabia was 16,315
Saudi as well as Non-Saudi residents should be automatically included on the Organ Donor register of Saudi, with the ability to refuse if they wish Students General population I would be more willing to register as a kidney donor: 4. If I knew that my family would have no objection to allowing donation of my kidney at the time of my death Students General population 5
The total willingness rate to donate kidney among health science students at KSAU was higher than the general population
Summary
The number of patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and documented on hemodialysis therapy in 2016 in Saudi Arabia was 16,315. This number has been significantly increasing over the years, and it is expected by the end of 2020 to go beyond 20,000. The age range of these patients is 26– 65 years old [1], which is considered a relatively young age in contrast to the age groups of patients with other health conditions This marks ESRD as one of the serious and major health problems that need to be highlighted. A study done in Austria among the general population showed that several laws can be legislated to increase the rate of organ donation. The aim of our study is to assess knowledge about, attitude toward, and willingness to donate kidney among health science students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University in comparison to the general population in Jeddah and to investigate the factors that play a role on their willingness
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