Strategies to Improvise Organ Donor Pool: A Study on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Performance of Higher Secondary School Teachers Towards the Organ Donation

Abstract

Introduction. This study aimed to assess higher secondary school teachers’ knowledge, attitude, and performance levels towards organ transplantation and donation (OTD). Teachers have an essential role in giving knowledge to children and teenagers, and they can influence their views. Organ transplantation offers re-life to many patients, yet organ shortages are a global issue. Teachers who influence students’ future attitudes regarding organ donation must have a favorable attitude and genuine knowledge. Materials and Methods. The research method was descriptive and cross-sectional. The sample size was 372 school teachers in Villupuram district of Tamilnadu, India, selected using a convenient sampling method. A survey questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and attitude about OTD, the reason for donating/not donating organs. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify critical variables affecting intent to practice. Results. The teachers’ mean scores with SD on knowledge, attitude, and performance were $7.61\pm 2.74$ , $8.81\pm 2.08$ , and $0.38\pm 0.11$ , respectively. The linear regression analysis showed that the knowledge ( $p<0.001$ ) and attitude ( $p<0.05$ ) of the participants were positively associated with organ donation performance. A significant relationship was also observed between gender ( $p<0.036$ ), age ( $p<0.01$ ), and education status ( $p<0.001$ ) with the performance of the teachers. Lack of family support was the most spelt reason for unwillingness for organ donation. Conclusion. The positive linear correlations underline that having more information may lead to a more optimistic mindset and, as a result, to better practices. Teachers should be provided with overall health teaching campaigns to increase the number of possible organ donors. Teachers serve as role models for students, families, and society by changing their attitudes.