Knowledge and Attitude towards Organ Donation in Rural Kerala

Abstract

Transplantation is the preferred treatment for many end-stage solid organ diseases.  Organ shortage has become a public health crisis due to increased demand which continues to surpass supply.   Knowledge gap and misunderstandings about organ donation have generated fear and mistrust in people’s mind thereby preventing them from coming forward. A cross sectional study was conducted in rural settings of Kerala among above-18-years age population to assess their knowledge and attitude towards organ donation.  Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire and data were analyzed using SPSS v20. Majority (97%) of the participants had heard about organ donation but only 53% had a good knowledge. 48% had poor attitude towards being an organ donor.  50% thought that live organ donation can cause severe health problems. Organ specific willingness for donation among participants was highest for eye, followed by kidney and liver. Keywords : Organ Donation, Knowledge and Attitude, KAP, Rural Kerala, Organ Transplantation