Knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation and transplantation among medical students of a medical college in South India

Abstract

Background: The shortage of organ donors is the key rate-limiting factor for organ transplantation in India. Many strategies have been proposed. One of the strategy is by improving awareness of organ donation and transplantation in the population. This study seeks to assess the knowledge and attitude of the medical students toward organ donation and transplantation. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation and transplantation among medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 510 undergraduate medical students of K.S Hegde Medical Academy. A tool with 30 questions was designed and administered to the students, in order to assess their knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation and transplantation. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software.Results: The mean age of the students was (20.21±1.32). When compared to boys, girls reported higher mean scores in knowledge (9.22±1.11); and attitude (7.32±0.81). The first year students had higher scores for their knowledge (9.46±1.28) compared to other years. The third year students showed a higher mean attitude score (1.61±1.07) (p=0.02). Hindus scored significantly higher mean knowledge, and attitude as compared to Christians and Muslims (p=0.03). There was a positive correlation between mean knowledge, and attitude of students regarding organ donation and transplantation.Conclusions: There was adequate knowledge in students but their attitude was poor. The study throws light on their inadequacies of knowledge and attitude of medical students, necessitating the inclusion of the topic in their curriculum.