Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Organ transplant is the treatment of choice for many end stage organ failure situations. However, the gap between the demand and supply of transplantable organs is wide world over. Extensive research is being carried out to understand this gap and address it. Countries have introduced opt out laws and have started targeted awareness programs to address this gap. According to the theory of planned behavior beliefs play a significant role in influencing organ donation decisions. Research on this subject is sparse in Qatar. Therefore, this study has been conducted to understand such factors as normative, behavioral and control beliefs and their correlation to intentions towards becoming organ donors in Qatar residents. Methodology: Large scale household survey was carried out with resident population of Qatar. Sample of 1044 individuals aged 18 and above, residing in the eight municipalities within the country were selected using two stage systematic random sampling method during October �¢���� November, 2016. Data were collected by independent female enumerators on tabs and exported into SPSS for data analysis. Results: Out of 1044 individuals, only 930 individuals responded to the intention related questions which constituted of 26.1% Qatari citizens and 73.9% Non-Qatari residents. There were 51% females and 49% males. Demographic variables such as age, gender, education, religion or marital status were not statically associated to Intension to donate organs except occupation and income. However, behavioral, normative and control beliefs played a very important role in contributing to the intentions of the individual towards organ donation at univariate analysis. After adjusting significant variables at univariate analysis, behavioral beliefs (Standardized Beta Coefficient =0.43, t=14.35, p=0.001) and Control beliefs (Standardized Beta Coefficient =0.06, t=2.17, p=0.03) were the most significant contributors to intention to donate organs in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Behavioral and control beliefs which in turn impact their intention towards organ donation can have a big influence in improving number of organ donors.

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