Abstract
IntroductionCorneal transplantation is the only treatment option for corneal blindness to restore sight. However, there is a disproportionate imbalance between the demand and supply of corneal tissue in Ethiopia. This is because accessing corneal tissue is reliant on people who are willing to donate corneas after death.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the proportion of willingness to donate cornea and associated factors among adult patients attending at University of Gondar comprehensive and specialized hospital.MethodInstitutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 13 to July 28, 2020, through a face-to-face interview. A total of 451 samples were selected using systematic random sampling. The data were entered into Epidemiological information version 7 and exported to statistical package for social science version 20 for formal analysis. Variables with a P-value of < 0.20 in a bi-variable logistic regression were entered into the multivariable logistic regression and those variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. The strength of association was shown using the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval.ResultA total of 408 adults participated in this study with a response rate of 90% and the proportion of willingness to donate cornea was 179(43.90%). Participants who had a religious belief in Christianity (AOR = 3.23 (95% CI: 1.09–9.57)) and good knowledge about corneal donation (AOR = 5.45(95%CI: 2.69–11.18)) were positively associated with the willingness of corneal donation. On the other side, the age group above 43 years (AOR = 0.31(95% CI: 0.11–0.89) was negatively associated with the willingness of corneal donation.ConclusionThe proportion of willingness to donate cornea 43.9% among participants attending Gondar University Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital. Age group greater than 43 years, religion of Christianity and good knowledge were associated with the willingness of corneal donation.
Highlights
Corneal transplantation is the only treatment option for corneal blindness to restore sight
Age group greater than 43 years, religion of Christianity and good knowledge were associated with the willingness of corneal donation
Visual impairment and blindness are major health-related problems worldwide. They cause a considerable economic burden for the affected person, caregivers, and society at large [1]. It is associated with loss of ability to work, affects the quality of life, and triggers depression [2,3,4]
Summary
A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 13 to July 28, 2020, at Gondar University Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital in Gondar city. Gondar city is located 738 kilometers(km) away from Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, and 182 km away from Bahir Dar, the capital city of Amhara National Regional State. Gondar university’s comprehensive and specialized hospital is one of the biggest teaching hospitals in the country which serves more than 5 million people living in Northwest Ethiopia. As recorded in the medical database, the hospital gives different services for about 7000 patients per month and more than 84,000 patients per year. All adult patients attending Gondar university’s comprehensive and specialized hospital were the source population and all adult patients aged 18 years who were presented during the data collection period were the study population. Patients with severe illness and difficulties of communication were excluded from the study
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