Knowledge and societal perceptions regarding autopsy amongst different educational backgrounds in Karachi, Pakistan

Area of Science:

• Medical Law and Ethics
• Public Health
• Forensic Medicine

Background:

• Autopsy, a critical medical procedure, is often misunderstood by the public.
• Understanding public awareness is crucial for informed consent and ethical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess public awareness regarding autopsy legislation, authorization, and objectives.
• To investigate the correlation between public opinion on autopsy and their academic levels.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted with 253 adult community participants.
• Data collection focused on knowledge, perceptions, and concerns related to autopsy.
• Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.

Main Results:

• 82% of respondents knew the meaning of autopsy, but only 44.7% correctly understood its purpose.
• A significant portion (55.3%) had a high academic level.
• Common concerns included organ removal (21.7%) and body disfigurement (18.3%), irrespective of academic background.

Conclusions:

• While public perception of autopsy is largely positive, there is a notable deficit in accurate knowledge about its objectives and legal framework.
• Educational interventions may be necessary to improve public understanding of autopsy.