Willingness for Organ Donation among MBBS Students in Maharashtra

Abstract

Background: Merely 2-3 per cent of the demand for organs for transplant is fulfilled, resulting in the unfortunate loss of numerous lives to organ failure each year in India. Presently, the deceased organ donation rate in India stands at 0.52 donors per million population. As future healthcare professionals, MBBS students have the potential to become advocates, educators, and facilitators of organ donation. The study aimed to assess willingness for organ donation among MBBS students in Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing an anonymous voluntary self-administered questionnaire among MBBS students after obtaining institutional ethical clearance. Data collected from 604 students was analysed. Results and Discussion: More than half of the students (382, 63.2%) were willing for organ donation out of which, 17 were registered organ donors.  When it comes to live kidney donation for an unknown recipient, only 33.6% (203) of students showed willingness. A significant association was found between the year of study and willingness and organ donation (p< 0.001) and between knowledge level and willingness for organ donation (p<0.001). Conclusion: Efforts to bolster knowledge, address cultural considerations, and integrate organ donation education into medical curricula can contribute to a more compassionate and informed generation of healthcare professionals, equipping them to engage in informed conversations with patients and their families regarding organ donation.