Knowledge And Attitude Of Nigerian Ophthalmologists Towards Cornea Donation And Corneal Graft

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of practicing Nigerian ophthalmologists towards cornea donation and corneal graft. The responses of 160 ophthalmologists (specialists and senior registrars) in Nigeria who responded to an appropriate questionnaire on cornea donation at one of their National conferences attended mainly by practicing ophthalmologists were analysed. Through the questionnaire, the knowledge and attitude of the ophthalmologists towards cornea donation and cornea graft in Nigeria were evaluated. The questionnaire also included questions on donor materials from prisoners for themselves and their close relatives. One hundred and sixty (160) of the 191 ophthalmologists (84%) given the questionnaire responded. All the respondents have adequate information on cornea donation and corneal graft. Majority of them were favourably disposed to most of the questions asked except when it came to carrying a donor card, signing the donor form and the actual signing of the form. Only 34 (21%) of ophthalmologists agreed to donate their cornea at death.It was found that traditional beliefs, social implications and personal considerations mainly influenced those who were not favourably disposed to cornea donation and corneal graft. The majority of practicing ophthalmologists in Nigeria are not favourably disposed to donating their cornea at death.

Willingness to donate eyes among outpatients attending Muhimbili National Hospital

“…Nearly a half of the participants were willing to donate eyes in this study, while only one third was aware. These results are similar to the study done in central Ethiopia, (8), but contrary to other studies like those done in Nigeria and Asia where the proportion of people willing to donate eyes seemed to be low compared to awareness (5,9,12,13,15,16). This disparity might be due to differences in socio-cultural beliefs.…”

“…Eye donation is a key factor for a sustainable corneal transplant services and eye banking. However, willingness to donate eyes as well as other organs is a complex process with socio-cultural barriers (3,4,(7)(8)(9). The willingness of the family of a deceased donor to honor the will of their relative is the most important factor to make eye donation possible.…”

Awareness and attitudes toward corneal donation: challenges and opportunities

“…Over half of these studies come from India, where the shortage of cornea tissue for transplant is particularly severe. 4 Nations represented in this review include Australia, 7 China, 8 – 10 Ethiopia, 11 – 13 Ghana, 14 India, 15 – 45 Malaysia, 46 , 47 Nepal, 48 , 49 Nigeria, 50 – 53 Pakistan, 54 , 55 Saudi Arabia, 56 , 57 Singapore, 58 , 59 Turkey, 60 and the United States. 61 Study populations include eye patients, family members of eye patients, general community populations, adolescents, university students, physicians, and medical or health science students.…”

Knowlegde and willingness to donate eye among medical doctors in delta state

“…Several reasons could be responsible for this; it may be attributed to poor knowledge on eye donation and a need to address misconceptions on corneal donation 7 . Surprisingly in the study by Erameh-Waziri et al on willingness of ophthalmologist in Nigeria to donate their eyes only 21% of ophthalmologists were willing to donate their eyes 8 . Being the group of health professional who specialize in the treatment of eyes and performing eye surgeries, it may seem that knowledge alone may not be the only barrier to eye donation amongst the medical doctors but cultural and religious beliefs.…”