Farida Islahudin, Intan Azura Shahdan and Li Ming Kua
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that affect willingness to donate kidneys posthumously among Malaysians.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that affect willingness to donate kidneys posthumously among Malaysians.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study assessing demographics, attitude, spirituality, knowledge and willingness to donate a kidney was conducted among adult Malaysians with oral informed consent. The total number of samples was 1,001 respondents. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed.
Findings
A total of 29.17% (n = 292) were willing to donate kidneys, while the remaining 70.83% (n = 709) were not. The mean spirituality score was 80.95 ± 13.79 (maximum score 100), mean attitude score was 52.88 ± 8.074 (maximum score 70) and mean knowledge score was 1.84 ± 0.99 (maximum score 5). A higher score demonstrated a stronger spiritual level, positive attitude and better knowledge. Factors affecting willingness to donate a kidney were ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] = 15.625, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.043–0.094) and attitude toward kidney donation score (OR = 0.924, 95% CI = 0.902–0.945).
Originality/value
Culture-specific steps to improve programs that may contribute toward improving kidney donation posthumously among Malaysians should be developed. Results drawn from this work demonstrate that policymakers, health-care workers and stakeholders should work together to promote effective policies and program implementation to reduce the ever-increasing gap between the need and shortage crisis of kidney donation.