Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Influence of health education on knowledge, attitude, and practices toward organ donation among dental students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Samata Srinivasula
. Adepu Srilatha
. Dolar Doshi
. Bandari Srikanth Reddy
. Suhas Kulkarni
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors are essential factors in fostering an environment
that positively influences organ donation rates. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the impact
of intervention (classroom education) on knowledge, attitude, and practices on organ donation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire‑based interventional study was conducted among
112 dental house surgeon students, Hyderabad. A 27‑item self‑administered questionnaire was
distributed to students as a pretest and collected back after completion. Then, a session on organ
donation was delivered in a lecture hall setting instilling the basic facts about organ donation. Posttests
using the same questionnaire were filled after the intervention and 2 weeks later.
RESULTS: Responses on knowledge obtained from the subjects showed significant changes in
several key areas from baseline to postintervention and at follow‑up. More than 50% of study subjects
had a positive attitude regarding organ donation. There was a significant increase in the number
of subjects who pledged/signed to donate an organ (before ‑ 14.3%, postintervention ‑ 50%, and
at follow‑up ‑ 60.7%; P < 0.05). Pairwise comparison revealed a significant increase in the mean
knowledge, attitude, and practice scores at postintervention and at follow‑up of 2 weeks in comparison
to the baseline scores. Female subjects and subjects following Hindu religion had good knowledge,
positive attitude, and good practice.
CONCLUSION: The one brief educational intervention had significantly increased perceived
knowledge of organ donation and positively influenced attitude and practices to organ donation
among dental students.

Keywords

Attitudes
education
knowledge
organ donation
transplantation
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 8, Issue 12
December 2018
Pages 1-8

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