Attitudes, Knowledge, and Social Perceptions toward Organ Donation and Transplantation in Eastern Morocco

Abstract

The study is aimed to assess attitudes, knowledge, and social perceptions toward organ donation and transplantation in Eastern Morocco and therefore understand what sets back this activity’s expansion and progression. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving three groups of persons that are theoretically involved in the process of organ donation (medical students, law students, and nurses). Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire related to the cultural, religious, medical, and legal aspects of organ donation and transplantation. Six hundred questionnaires were distributed. The participation rate in the study was 71%, with female predominance and participants were mainly from an average socioeconomic level. Fifty- one percent of the participants were medical students. About 87.1% had already heard about organ transplantation in Morocco, but most of them felt that they were not sufficiently informed. 57.9% of the participants were favorable with some reluctance to organ donation, 28.7% were unconditionally favorable, and 5.9% were totally unfavorable. Only 46% of the participants accepted living organ donation, whereas 47.1% did not. Moreover, 64.7% of the participants accepted organ donation after their death, evoking the desire to help others and save lives. According to our survey, 55.1% of our participants considered that the decision to donate their organs after death belongs to them. About 44.9% think they should discuss this decision with their relatives and 50% said their culture and religion influence their decisions. Our work did reveal an insufficient level of awareness about various aspects of the topic. Moreover, a high pro-portion of the participants did not have positive attitudes toward donating, mainly driven by religious, cultural beliefs and perceived risks to the donor. The reasons of refusal should be analyzed carefully to improve acceptability toward organ donation and transplantation.