Perception, knowledge, and attitude on organ donation among the medical and nonmedical students

Background: To determine and understand the factors influencing the willingness to become an organ donor among students of two different academic categories. Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 100 undergraduate students of two different (50 from MBBS and 50 from information science) courses with a mean age of 22 years. Faculty validated, customized, and close-ended (5-point Likert scale) questionnaire was distributed to the randomly selected participants of both groups. The responses given by them were then analyzed statistically using the SPSS software version 16. Results: Factors that are considered in this study included knowledge, attitude, religious/family values, and perception. Both groups showed no significant differences in knowledge and religious/family values, agreeing that organ donation is a generous act. Significant differences were noted in the attitude level of the students unwilling to donate while alive (P = 0.026), more willing to donate organs after death (P = 0.011), and fear of surgical procedures and disfiguration of the body (P = 0.035). Regarding perception, 80% of nonmedical students were aware that viable organs could be donated upon brain death of an individual and 52% of medical students agreed that after joining the MBBS course, they have become more willing to donate organs. Conclusion: Both groups of students have adequate knowledge of organ donation without the influence of religion or family issues; however, certain attitudes and perceptions indicate that medical students are more likely to be willing candidates for organ donation.