Dental Student Knowledge and Willingness to Donate Corneas

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Corneal blindness is a significant public health issue globally.
• Organ donation, including cornea donation, relies heavily on public awareness and willingness.
• Understanding the knowledge and attitudes of future healthcare professionals is crucial for promoting donation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the knowledge and willingness to donate corneas among undergraduate dental students in Hyderabad, India.
• To identify demographic factors associated with knowledge and willingness for cornea donation.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate dental students in Hyderabad.
• A pretested questionnaire assessed demographic details, knowledge (7 questions), and willingness (3 questions) regarding cornea donation.
• Chi-square and multivariate modeling were used for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• The study included 340 dental students (83.5% female).
• Overall mean knowledge score was low (2.98 ± 1.43), with 66% having poor knowledge.
• 41% expressed willingness to donate corneas; willingness was significantly associated with religion.
• Lack of information was the primary reason for unwillingness (52%).

Conclusions:

• A significant gap exists in cornea donation knowledge among dental students, despite a notable willingness to donate.
• Educational interventions targeting specific demographics, particularly concerning religion, may enhance cornea donation rates.
• Addressing the lack of information is critical to improving willingness to donate corneas.