Attitude and Knowledge toward Organ Donation among Arts and Science Students

Abstract

Aim: A cross sectional study was undertaken to study the attitude and knowledge towards organ donation
among, higher secondary students, graduate students and post graduate students at different arts and science
colleges in Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir).
Material and Method: 200 students participated in the study between the age group of 17 to 21 years.
The students responded to self-administered questionnaires (pre validated) that comprised of seventeen
questions.
Result: The students responded completely to the self-administered questionnaires that comprised of
seventeen questions. Out of 200 students who participated in the study 118 (59%) were male and 82 (41%)
were female. Majority of the students 164 (82%) had information about organ donation and were of the
opinion that organ donation can save lives 136 (68%). Majority of the participants 111 (55.5%) believed that
organs can be donated after death. The main source of information regarding organ donation was found to
be newspaper and magazines 87 (43.5%), followed by television/radio 63 (31.5%) and the most common
organ that can be donated was considered to be kidney 81 (40.5%) followed by eye 62 (31%). 115 (57.5%)
of participants were unwilling to donate organs based on their religious belief. It was found that 64 (32%) of
students were willing to receive organ and majority of students 136 (68%) were against charging of money
for organs but were in favour of formulation of law regarding organ donation 183 (91.5%).
Conclusion: This study suggested that majority of students had information about organ donation and were
of the opinion that organ donation can save lives but most of them were unwilling to donate organs based on
their religious belief. Further study should be conducted to know the awareness and attitude towards organ
donation among general public.