Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Intentions of Critical Care Units Patients’ Families regarding Organ Donation

Abstract

Up-to-date, no country in the world has enough donated organs. This study aimed to assess the levels and predictors of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and intentions of critical care unit patients’ families regarding organ donation. This is a cross-sectional study that used a questionnaire to collect data from 250 families having patients hospitalized in critical care units from three medical sectors in Jordan. Results revealed that 97.6% of the participants had heard about organ donation. Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs (3 types), and intentions levels were 67%, 49.6%, (14.9%, 77.1%, −12.9%), and 81.8%, respectively. Participants who were educated, employed, health insured, with higher income, and lived in urban areas had higher levels of knowledge. Participants who live in urban areas have favorable attitudes toward organ donation. Higher-educated females reported higher behavioral beliefs. Policymakers can design ways to deal with obstacles facing organ donation by taking into account these variables. Improving these factors will provide a huge social service to community health by increasing organ transplantation rates and improving the quality of life of chronic illnesses patients. Future interventional studies are needed in the world that focuses on improving community knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and intentions toward organs donation.