Attitudes toward organ donation in China

Area of Science:

• Medical Science
• Public Health
• Transplantation Medicine

Background:

• Organ transplantation is a vital medical advancement, yet limited organ availability hinders its full potential.
• Understanding public perception is crucial for advancing organ donation programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the awareness and attitudes of the Chinese population regarding organ donation.
• To identify factors influencing public support for organ donation.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted using a 20-question questionnaire distributed to 2930 participants.
• Participants were randomly selected from diverse settings including a hospital, commercial district, and colleges.
• Data collected included demographics and views on deceased and living organ donation.

Main Results:

• Over 95% were aware of organ donation, and 90% approved of deceased organ donation.
• 73% expressed willingness to donate organs posthumously; support was higher for deceased than living donation (90% vs 65.3%).
• Awareness of organ failure and transplantation correlated with support; 85.7% approved of compensation for donor families.

Conclusions:

• The Chinese public possesses a foundational understanding of organ transplantation and donation.
• A significant majority supports deceased organ donation and expresses willingness to donate organs after death.
• Public education via media and diverse channels is favored for promoting organ donation.