Knowledge, Attitude, and Associated Factors towards Organ Donation Among Teachers of Selected Schools in Divisional Secretariat Badalkumbura in Monaragala District

Abstract

Introduction: Organ transplantation involves moving a functioning organ from one body to another or from a donor site to replace a damaged or failing organ. One of the best ways to educate the community about organ donation is through school teachers. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and associated factors towards Organ Donation among teachers of selected schools in Divisional Secretariat Badalkumbura in the Monaragala District. Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional design was applied. A pre-tested and validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from teachers (n=300) in 13 schools from Divisional Secretariat, Badalkumbura selected using systematic random sampling. Descriptive statistical tests were performed to analyze data. Level of knowledge regarding organ donation was categorized as poor (<20), moderate (<30), and good (≥30) while attitude was categorized as poor (≤25), moderate (≤50), and good (>50). Chi-square tests were conducted to determine associated factors with the level of knowledge. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The response rate was 70.9%. Mean age of participants was between 31-40 years (SD=11.5). From the participants, 48.0% had a poor level of knowledge and, moderate level of attitude (94.7%) on organ donation. The level of knowledge was significantly associated with age (p=0.04), religion (p=0.001), and work experience (p=0.039). Conclusion: Participants had a poor level of knowledge while more than 94% had moderate level of attitude towards organ donation. Age, religion and work experience had a significant association with the level of knowledge regarding organ donation among teachers.
Keywords: Organ donation, knowledge, attitudes, associated factors, teachers