Perceptions and attitude toward cadaveric organ donation among health-care professionals at a tertiary health-care setting: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Organ donation provides a life-saving opportunity for those individuals with organ failure who have no other options. The knowledge, attitude, and practices of medical professionals play a vital role in promoting the positive impact of organ donation. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and assess the knowledge and attitude about cadaveric organ donation among the medical health professionals. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of health-care professionals toward cadaveric organ donation and to know their awareness regarding legislations pertaining to cadaveric organ donation. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was filled out by consenting consultants, resident doctors, and nurses working at a tertiary health-care setting, to evaluate their knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cadaveric organ donation. Data were analyzed and summarized as frequencies and proportions. Results: Majority (74%) of the participants were females and most (67.8%) of them below 40 years of age. Hindus comprised 55.2% and Christians 41% of the study population. All consultants, 99.1% of resident doctors and 83.1% of nurses were familiar with the concept of cadaveric organ donation. Although willingness to donate organs was expressed by a majority of the health-care professionals, only a few have actually taken the initiative and pledged to donate their organs. Conclusion: The knowledge of the health-care professionals pertaining to cadaveric organ donation was found to be relatively good, whereas their attitude was found to be favorable. As far as practices were concerned, they were found to be unsatisfactory. Awareness level regarding legislations pertaining to organ donation was relatively high.