H. El-Shoubaki, A. Bener, Y. Al-Mosalamani

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, awareness, and determinants of organ donation and transplantation in Qatari population.

Design: This is a cross-sectional study to determine the knowledge, attitude towards organ donation in Peninsula Arabian Gulf country.

Setting: Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers and community-based study in Qatar.

Subjects: A multistage sampling design was used and a representative sample of 1600 Qataris and non-Qataris, males and females aged 17 years and above were included from October 2003 to May 2004. 1305 (81.5%) subjects participated and gave consent for the study

Measurements: Participants completed a questionnaire assessing their knowledge, attitudes and awareness for organ donation.

Results: A total of 1305 of 1600 enrolled subjects participated in this study, giving a response rate of 81.5%. 67.8% of male and 70.4% of female subjects were found to be aware and having an idea on organ donation and transplantation.  61.4% of males and 70.4% of females disagreed the idea of importing organs from outside.  Male respondents (31.7%) were generally less accepting the idea of organ donation than females (39.5%). More males (79.9%) than female respondents (87.6%) did not agree organ donation for money.

Conclusion: Intense efforts to improve public awareness and knowledge about organ donation and transplantation are necessary to maximize donation and the overall success of transplantation.

Key words: Qatar, knowledge, attitudes, factors, organ donation, transplantation, gender

Prof. Abdulbari Bener

Advisor for WHO and

Consultant & Head of Dept.

of Medical Statistics & Epidemiology

Hamad General Hospital &

Hamad Medical Corporation &

Evidence for Population Health Unit

University of Manchester, UK

PO Box 3050

Doha - Qatar

E-mail: abener@bitte-keinen-spamhmc.org.qa