title: Public opinion on renal transplantation in Brunei Darussalam.
abstract: Brunei Darussalam is a small Muslim country with a high prevalence and incidence of kidney disease. At present, there is no local transplant program for patients on the renal replacement therapy program. In order to assess feasibility of a local transplant program, we decided to conduct a survey to assess public opinion on renal transplantation. The majority of the 300 respondents (78.7%) were willing to donate their kidneys if needed. Even after learning of the small theoretical risks of kidney failure, 72.33% of all respondents were still willing to proceed with transplantation. Respondents who had relatives on dialysis and who had a higher education level were more willing to donate their kidneys. There was no significant difference between Muslims and non-Muslims. Most respondents (59.7%) preferred to have transplantation done locally. This study shows that most Bruneians are receptive of the idea of living related kidney donations, which augurs well for the sustainability of a new program. More work is needed to overcome other barriers like the availability of surgical expertise and facilities and cost-benefit considerations.
authors.affiliation: University of Brunei, and Department of Renal Medicine, RIPAS Hospital, Brunei, Darussalam.
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zinna
authors.forename: Y P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002010:Brunei / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004522:Educational Status; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D011639:Public Opinion; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D055815:Young Adult