Organ Donation: Awareness and Willingness to Donate an Organ among Basic Nursing and Midwifery Students of a Selected College in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Organ transplant remains the best option to patient with end stage organ failure (ESOF), incidence of which is rising across the globe along with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cancers, hypertension amongst others, which are responsible for most cases. With the rise in number of people needing organ transplant, it is lamentable to mention that the rate of organ donation is significantly lower than the demand leading to a huge count of avoidable deaths world over. Aim: The study was aimed at assessing awareness regarding organ donation, willingness to donate and organ and factors influencing willingness to donate an organ among basic nursing and midwifery students at a college in Northern Nigeria. Materials and methods: Descriptive research design were employed, systematic sampling technique was used to select the respondents where a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: Findings from the study revealed that 68.3% of the respondents were between age ranges of 20–25 years, females were 73.2% and most were singles (82.9%). Majority of the respondents demonstrated adequate level of awareness regarding organ donation and transplantation and only 14.1% showed inadequate awareness, 80.5% submitted that they were willing to donate their organs if the need arises. Lack of familial ties with the recipient, cultural and religious beliefs, fear of having a disfigured body were identified as the factors obstructing willingness to donate an organ (living organ donation) while, a cultural belief that the body should be kept intact even after death was found to be obstructing cadaveric donation among basic nursing and midwifery students. It was recommended that there is need to intensify awareness campaigns on organ donation with special emphasis in cultural and religious reorientation to eliminate those belief obstructing potential donors’ willingness to donate an organ at times of need.

Keywords: Awareness, willingness, organ, donation, nursing, midwifery

Cite this Article

Ibrahim Haruna Abdullahi, Saleh N. Garba, Farouk U. Abubakar, Organ Donation: Awareness and Willingness to Donate an Organ among Basic Nursing and Midwifery Students of a Selected College in Northern Nigeria. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Health Professions. 2018; 8(3): 37–42p.