Publication:

A cross sectional study of knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students towards body donation

Background The best ethically acceptable source of cadavers for dissection by medical students is voluntarily donated bodies of people during their lifetime. The main objective of this research was to study the knowledge and attitude of medical students towards body donation.

Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving undergraduate students from a medical institute of Delhi. Sample size of 281 was calculated by taking estimated prevalence of knowledge about the concept of body donation as 88%, 99% confidence interval and 5% sample error. Participants were randomly selected from each year by using random number tables. Data collection was done by using a pre-designed pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done by using SPSS version 20 software.

Results The overall knowledge about body donation among medical students was found be poor in many aspects. Their feelings regarding body donation were mostly positive but only a small proportion (22%) were willing to do so, main reasons for unwillingness being disrespectful behaviour towards cadavers (39.7%), lack of approval by family (34.6%), not being comfortable (33.8%) and religious beliefs (18.4%). Higher levels of knowledge were found in females, but a more positive attitude was found in males and those studying in earlier years of graduation (p<0.05).

Conclusions Medical students were found to have poor knowledge about body donation with higher level of knowledge among females. Despite having positive feelings towards body donation, majority were not willing to do so.