60pc willing to donate organs, says study
Web posted at: 12/9/2006 7:47:22
Source ::: Internews KARACHI • A study into attitudes towards organ donation in Pakistan shows that while an estimated 86 per cent agreed with the idea, 60 per cent are willing to donate their organs while 73 per cent are willing to receive organ donations.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Aga Khan University Medical College and published in the journal Artificial Organs.
Five decades have passed since the practice of organ transplantation emerged on the global stage. Since its conception it has not only enjoyed great success and popularity, but has also saved countless numbers of the critically ill.
However, what has continued to hamper its smooth progress is its first requisite, an organ donation (OD). The lack of an OD continues to seal the fate of critically ill patients worldwide even today. This involves the dearth of both living and cadaveric grafts.
End-stage organ failure, a considerable clinical problem in Pakistan, leads annually to an estimated 15,000 patients requiring renal replacement, followed by some 800 seeking supplant of a diseased liver, and 6000 a new heart.
This study was carried out in the outpatient clinics of the Agha Khan Hospital where all kinds of medical and surgical patients were interviewed. The sample of 357 people consisted predominantly of the middle aged. Of the subjects 45.7 per cent fell within the 30-50 year age group. The mean age was 38 years.
Of the respondents 57.7 per cent were male and 42.3 per cent were female. Those who had education up to higher secondary level were 93.2 per cent, while 47.1 per cent were graduates and postgraduates.
The major source of information was found to be television (47.9 per cent), with print media coming in next (45.4 per cent). Health personnel were found to contribute to people’s knowledge in only 9.5 per cent of cases.
Respondents’ knowledge was also assessed regarding certain important aspects related to OD and transplantation. The practice of OD could save human life, according to 93.6 per cent.
Regarding the brain death concept, the sample was somewhat evenly split, with 30 per cent of the people believing that it was reversible. Of the respondents 35.9 per cent gave a negative response to this while the rest of the 34.2 per cent were not sure.
Eighty-four per cent believed that organs could be donated after death, 71.1 per cent of the people thought OD could be carried out during one’s lifetime, and 22.1 per cent thought OD could take place in brain death.
While 86.8 per cent agreed with the idea of OD, only 59.9 per cent were found willing to donate. Among those who were unwilling to donate, religion was found to be the most prevalent factor influencing their decision.
Ismailimail 