Knowledge Does Not Correlate with Behavior toward Deceased Organ Donation: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Abstract

This study was supported by the internal budget of the Saku Central Hospital Group Background: Although knowledge is an important factor that influences decisions regarding deceased organ donation, the associations of knowledge with attitude and behavior regarding organ donation remain uncertain in countries with low organ donation rates like Japan. Material/Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of hospital medical and non-medical staff in 15 Japanese medical facilities. The questionnaire included items on knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward deceased organ donation and transplantation. Participants were divided into 3 groups according to the tertile of knowledge score. Modified Poisson regression models were used for associations of knowledge score with organ donor registration and willingness to become an organ donor after death. Results: Of the 1967 staff, 1275 returned the questionnaires (response rate, 64.8%). There were 1190 study subjects with complete data for analysis. For the lowest (n=512), middle (n=428), and highest (n=250) tertile knowledge groups, the proportions of participants who registered and expressed willingness to donate organs were 20.1%, 23.4%, and 28.4% and 31.1%, 38.3%, and 44.0%, respectively. The adjusted proportion ratios for organ donor registration were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.73-1.10) for the middle and 1.00 (0.80-1.26) for the highest tertile of knowledge, compared with the lowest tertile. However, participants with the highest tertile of knowledge score expressed higher willingness for organ donation than the lowest tertile (adjusted proportion ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.13-1.66). Conclusions: For hospital staff in Japanese medical facilities, high knowledge about organ donation and transplantation was not associated with donor registration, but was associated with willingness to become an organ donor.

Knowledge, attitudes and willingness to organ donation among the general public: a cross-sectional survey in China

“…In an online survey of 1945 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses, health science students and non-health science students in Austria, Stadlbauer V et al showed that the study participants knowledge of Austrian organ donation legislation was high [ 8 ]. In a cross-sectional study survey of 1275 hospital medical and non-medical staff in 15 Japanese medical facilities, Murakami M et al found high knowledge about organ donation and transplantation was associated with willingness to become an organ donor [ 9 ]. Further, in a survey of 724 physicians of different specialties in the USA, Alkhatib AA et al showed physicians who were identified as donors were more aware about issues related to organ shortage [ 10 ].…”

Association between the transtheoretical model approach and sustained intradialytic pedaling exercise

“…This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Saku Central Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in eastern Nagano Prefecture, Japan. [ 31 ] Although no full-time transplant surgeons and infectious disease physicians have ever worked in this facility, [ 32 ] it is the only hospital in the area where patients with ESKD can receive living-donor kidney transplantation. [ 33 ] There are 46 beds and 5 full-time nephrologists in the dialysis unit.…”

Japanese Perception of Organ Donation and Implications for New Medical Technologies: Quantitative and Qualitative Social Media Analyses

“…Akabayashi [ 18 ] argued that Confucianism, particularly through the principle of filial piety, posed a barrier to organ donation. A survey among medical staff revealed that knowledge about organ donation was not correlated with becoming a registered organ donor, but rather with the willingness to become one [ 19 ]. A long-term survey among medical students highlighted an incomplete understanding of the organ transplantation law and the primary reason cited for becoming an organ donor was “to help others” [ 20 ].…”