Knowledge, attitudes and practices survey on organ donation among a selected adult population of Pakistan.
BACKGROUND
To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding organ donation in a selected adult population in Pakistan.


METHODS
Convenience sampling was used to generate a sample of 440; 408 interviews were successfully completed and used for analysis. Data collection was carried out via a face to face interview based on a pre-tested questionnaire in selected public areas of Karachi, Pakistan. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.15 and associations were tested using the Pearson's Chi square test. Multiple logistic regression was used to find independent predictors of knowledge status and motivation of organ donation.


RESULTS
Knowledge about organ donation was significantly associated with education (p = 0.000) and socioeconomic status (p = 0.038). 70/198 (35.3%) people expressed a high motivation to donate. Allowance of organ donation in religion was significantly associated with the motivation to donate (p = 0.000). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that higher level of education and higher socioeconomic status were significant (p < 0.05) independent predictors of knowledge status of organ donation. For motivation, multiple logistic regression revealed that higher socioeconomic status, adequate knowledge score and belief that organ donation is allowed in religion were significant (p < 0.05) independent predictors. Television emerged as the major source of information. Only 3.5% had themselves donated an organ; with only one person being an actual kidney donor.


CONCLUSIONS
Better knowledge may ultimately translate into the act of donation. Effective measures should be taken to educate people with relevant information with the involvement of media, doctors and religious scholars.
Saleem
Taimur
T
Medical College, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. taimur@gmail.com
Ishaque
Sidra
S
Habib
Nida
N
Hussain
Syedda Saadia
SS
Jawed
Areeba
A
Khan
Aamir Ali
AA
Ahmad
Muhammad Imran
MI
Iftikhar
Mian Omer
MO
Mughal
Hamza Pervez
HP
Jehan
Imtiaz
I
D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004522:Educational Status; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D016015:Logistic Models; D009042:Motivation; D010154:Pakistan; D010819:Physician's Role; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012067:Religion; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement