Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of mosque imams regarding organ donation.
BACKGROUND
In this study we aimed to determine knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of mosque imams regarding organ donation.


METHODS
This study involved 322 mosque imams working in Kahramanmaras, a city in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. A questionnaire was used to determine participants' sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding organ donation.


RESULTS
Out of a total of 322 participants, 253 (78.6%) stated that organ donation is allowed in Islam, while 5 (1.6%) expressed that it is religiously forbidden, and 64 (19.9%) stated that they have no idea about the issue. Only 2 (0.6%) participants were registered organ/tissue donors, wile 320 (99.4%) were not. Out of all participants, 72 (22.4%) imams were willing to donate organs. Forty-six (14.3%) imams had previously received basic training about organ donation, and 166 (51.6%) were willing to attend a related training. Television programs and healthcare professionals were the most common means of learning about organ donation. Educational programs by healthcare professionals for imams and the public were proposed to be effective in increasing the number of organ donations.


CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed that the knowledge of mosque imams regarding organ donation is poor and they had little willingness to donate their organs. Interestingly, many imams had no knowledge about organ donation under Islam. Collaboration of media, healthcare professionals, and mosque imams regarding organ donation might help increase organ donation.
Department of Family Medicine, Onikisubat Community Health Center, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Hamit Sirri
HS
Keten
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Necip Fazil City Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Derya
D
Keten
Department of Family Medicine, Medical Faculty, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Huseyin
H
Ucer
Department of Internal Diseases, Pazarcik State Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Mustafa
M
Cerit
Department of Family Medicine, Medical Faculty, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Oguz
O
Isik
Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
Okkes Hakan
OH
Miniksar
Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Ozgur
O
Ersoy
D000328:Adult; D002977:Clergy / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D014421:Turkey