Organ donation and transplantation: knowledge and attitude amongst Indian undergraduate medical students

Abstract

Background: Organ donation not only saves the lives of dying people but also improves the quality of life of many patients. A huge demand supply gap exists between patients requiring trans­plantation and organ donors. Organ transplantation has become the only hope for some patients with damaged or failing organs to extend their life. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and attitude towards organ donation and transplantation amongst the undergraduate medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst 98 undergraduate students of IIMSR Medical College, Badnapur, Jalna during the period of January to August 2016. Knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation were assessed using a pre-designed, pre-tested and validated questionnaire. Results were analyzed in the form of percentage and proportions whenever necessary.Results: In present study, only 35.71% students knew the definition of organ donation, whereas 46.94% and 51.02% students knew that what organs can be donated and who could be an organ donar respectively. Majority 71.43% students believed that who should make decision about organ donation in case of unclaimed dead body. Majority 82.65% students reported that live organ donation is better than cadaveric organ donation in solving shortage, 67.34% thought that donating one’s organ adds meaning to one’s life.Conclusions: Undergraduate students have inadequate knowledge, but have positive attitudes towards organ donation. There is a need to increase knowledge regarding organ donation among this essential group.