‘Voluntary body donation’-a survey of awareness among teaching staff of medical colleges in Nagpur

Abstract

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice regarding ‘Body Donation’ among the teaching staff of medical colleges in Nagpur Method: The present study included 100 teaching staff members (professors, associate professors and assistant professors) of medical colleges in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The teaching staff of department of anatomy was specifically excluded. Structured questionnaire was prepared and distributed among the teaching staff. The data was collected, compiled and analysed to evaluate awareness and attitude towards body donation. Results: Merely 22% staff member were aware that body donation is also one of the methods of dead body disposal. 85% staff members were not aware about the anatomy act that governs body donation. 75% staff was unaware of the cadaver donation procedure. Only 50% of the staff members were willing for body donation. Conclusions: · Body donation is a generous and unselfish act for those who wish to be useful to living, even after death · The awareness regarding the altruistic act of body donation is deficient among the medical faculty · There is need for creating awareness about ‘Voluntary Body Donation’ among medical teachers as well as general population Keywords: Body donation, Cadaver, Dissection, Medical teaching faculty