title: Knowledge and attitudes toward corneal donation among Singaporean youth: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess the knowledge of Singaporean youth regarding corneal donation and gauge their willingness to donate their corneas.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study among 500 students from five tertiary institutions in Singapore. All students answered self-administered questionnaires which included seven questions that tested knowledge and three questions that determined willingness to donate corneas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 500 Singaporean youth aged 18 to 25, most students (73.2 %) answered 3 or fewer of the 7 questions about corneal donation correctly. With regards to the willingness to donate, 155 (31 %) were willing to donate their corneas, 111 (22.2 %) were not willing to donate their corneas, and 234 (46.8 %) were undecided. Willingness to donate corneas was associated with an older age group (21 to 25 years old), those who are non-Muslims, and have good basic knowledge. Particularly, students with good basic knowledge were 1.71 times more likely to willingly donate their corneas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The knowledge of the Singaporean youth regarding corneal donation and transplantation is poor. Since insufficient information was cited as the most common reason for being undecided in regards to corneal donation, specific and tailored programs to increase knowledge and awareness are needed to convince the youth to support corneal donation.
authors.affiliation: Singapore Eye Bank, Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore, 168751 Singapore.
authors.forename: Carisa Mariella Alvarez
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Paraz
authors.affiliation: SingHealth Transplant, Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd, Transplant Administrative and Resource Office, Singapore General Hospital, Block 1, Level 3, 1 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169608 Singapore.
authors.forename: Ha Thi Thu
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.affiliation: Singapore Eye Bank, Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore, 168751 Singapore.
authors.forename: Darren Kyauk
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sai
authors.affiliation: Singapore Eye Bank, Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore, 168751 Singapore.
authors.forename: Howard Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Cajucom-Uy
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore, 738964 Singapore.
authors.forename: Cherry Lay Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore, 738964 Singapore.
authors.forename: Selina Md
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kassim
keywords: Corneal donation; Corneal transplant; Donation knowledge; Willingness