A Questionnaire Based Study Evaluating Awareness for Organ and Body Donation and Cadaveric Dissection among the General Population Attending Medical and Dental Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: This study intended to assess the awareness among subjects regarding body donation and cadaveric dissection and their willingness to donate body. Methodology:A cross sectional study conducted in Anatomy Department, SBKS Medical Institute and Research Centre, Vadodara. A self-administered questionnaire containing 18 questions was to be filled by the participants in 15 minutes. Responses of participants were collected and analysed.Results: 130 participants were enrolled, 47.69% were males while 52.31% were females. Majority (38.46%) were ≥45 years in age. Around 41.54% of the participants had received no schooling. Majority of the participants were unaware of the Organ (54.62%) and Body donations (63.85%), however, around 51.54% of the subjects were aware of the cadaveric dissections occurring in medical colleges. Also, 50.77% agreed for body donations. As compared to males, higher proportion of females were aware of the organ (47.1%) and body (38.2%) donations and 61.8% females were willing to donate bodies. Higher proportion of subjects in the age groups of 26-45 years were aware of organ (52.3%) and body (38.6%) donation and cadaveric dissection (65.9%), however, proportionately more subjects in the age group of 18-25 years (77.8%) were willing to donate body. A higher proportion of subjects with college education were aware of the organ (84.6%) and body (92.3%) donation and cadaveric dissection (92.3%) and were also willing to donate body (92.3%). Conclusion:Gender, education and socioeconomic background have an impact on organ/body donation and willingness to donate body.