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. 2019 Apr-Jun;33(2):121-129.
doi: 10.1016/j.sjopt.2019.02.003. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Attitude, beliefs and awareness towards corneal donation in Saudi Arabia

Latifa F Alanazi  1 , Shaikha H Aldossari  2 , Mohammed A Gogandy  3 , Ghazai A Althubaiti  4 , Beshayer F Alanazi  5 , Abdullah M Alfawaz  6
Affiliations

Attitude, beliefs and awareness towards corneal donation in Saudi Arabia

Latifa F Alanazi et al. Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2019 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: Corneal donation has not received adequate attention in Saudi Arabia, and donors are lacking. This study explores the underlying knowledge of, attitude regarding, and practice of corneal donation in Saudi Arabia, which will possibly help in designing healthcare policies and creating a national eye bank.

Methods: This observational cross-sectional study used a self-administered questionnaire and was administered to the residents of Saudi Arabia from August to December 2017. We surveyed 1292 random subjects who agreed to fill out the self-administered questionnaire. The sample included Saudi and non-Saudi residents across adult age groups from medical and non-medical professions.

Results: Of the 1292 respondents, only 4.3% believed that they had sufficient knowledge about corneal donation; 66.3% of the sample had not decided whether to donate their corneas after death; 40.2% stated that they would be more willing to donate if they had sufficient knowledge about corneal donation; and 46.1% of the population did not know where to apply to donate their corneas. Those who believed that they had sufficient information about corneal donation were significantly more likely to donate (p < 0.001) than those who believed they did not have enough information.

Conclusion: Increased awareness about corneal donation is required, as a higher level of awareness was associated with a higher willingness to donate corneas. Establishing healthcare policies and creating community campaigns is necessary to increase corneal donation awareness and willingness.

Keywords: Awareness; Blindness; Cornea; Donation; Eye surgery; Transplant.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A visual representation of the spread of the participants across the five regions in Saudi Arabia.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Descending percentages of respondents perceived barriers to Corneal Donation.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Respondents perceived motives to Donate Corneas in descending percentages. N = 1292.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Comparison between people's preferred and previously accessed sources of corneal donation information.
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See this image and copyright information in PMC

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