Factors Affecting Attitude and Behaviour towards Organ Donation among Medical Students in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: To assess the factors affecting attitude and behaviour towards organ donation among medical students. Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Melaka-Manipal Medical College (Muar Campus), Malaysia between November and December 2016. Methodology: A total of 350 students from Batch 33 and 34 were given the questionnaire. The response rate was 228 students and 216 were included in this analysis. Non-probability sampling was used. The questionnaires encompassed demographic profiles, The Big Five personality test and a modified standardised structured questionnaire on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice toward organ donation. All answered questionnaires were collected and subjected to data analysis using Epi-info software version 7.1. The data were interpreted using the Chi-square test. Results: The response rate to our questionnaire is 65.1%. The risk factors with significant positive associations are race, religion, birth order, and personality traits. The Malay group was chosen to be the reference for the race group. High scores correspond to higher willingness to donate meanwhile low scores corresponds to lower willingness towards organ donation. The Others group has 4.29 times more likely to have higher scores (P =.02). This is followed by the Chinese group which is 3.25 times more likely to have higher scores (P = .001); the Indians are 2.77 more feasible towards organ donation (P =.02). In the religion category, Islam was chosen as the reference group. Other religions have 6.33 times a higher chance to have higher scores and the P value was significant (P =.03). This is followed by Christianity which is 3.69 times more probable to have higher scores (P =.003). Buddhism has an OR of 2.7 with a significant P value of .01. Lastly, Hindus are 2.41 times more prospective for organ donation when compared to Muslims (P =.03).  First-borns have 2.19 higher tendencies towards organ donation when compared to last-borns (P =.04). As for personality, the study shows the dominant openness trait to have a positive and significant association to organ donation (P =.03). Conclusion: It is apparent that multiple factors may contribute to the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards organ donation of a medical student. The results suggest that there is an association between race, religion, birth order and personality to the likelihood of an individual donating an organ. Awareness and consciousness of this issue can be improved among medical students with adequate exposure and education on issues pertaining organ donation.