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

To find out awareness levels about legislation/authorisation and objectives of autopsy among common people, and to assess correlation between opinions and academic levels.

The cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted from March 2019 to September 2019 after approval from Ziauddin University, Karachi, and comprised adult subjects from the community having various academic backgrounds. Data was collected on their knowledge, perceptions and concerns regarding autopsy. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.

Of the 260 individuals approached, 106(40.8%) were males and 143(55%) were females, while 11(4.2%) did not specify their gender. Overall, 123(47.3%) were aged 18-25 years. After 7(2.7%) dropouts, the total number of respondents was 253(97.3%). Of them There were 208(82%) subjects who marked "Yes" to knowing the meaning of autopsy, and 115(55.3%) of them had high academic level, while 93(44.7%) had low educational level. Also, 93(44.7%) participants correctly knew the purpose behind an autopsy. Regardless of the academic level, 135(21.7%) subjects marked "Organ removal" as their concerns regarding an autopsy, while 114(18.3%) marked "Disfigurement of body".

Although majority of the subjects had a positive perception of autopsy, in-depth questioning revealed a clear lack of correct knowledge on the matter.