Attitudes, acceptance, and registration in relation to organ donation in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 192 - 200
• Main Authors: Teoh, J Y C, Lau, B S Y, Far, N Y, Yuen, S K K, Yee, C H, Hou, S S M, Teoh, T S C, Ng, C F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Hong Kong Academy of Medicine 01-06-2020
• Subjects: Blood & organ donations; Cross-sectional studies; Health care; Kidney transplants; Polls & surveys; Population; Registration; Religion; Smartphones; Social networks; Telephone numbers; Hong Kong China; Spain; Organ transplantation; Hong Kong; Attitude; Awareness; Tissue donors
• ISSN: 1024-2708; 2226-8707
• DOI: 10.12809/hkmj198176

The objective of this study was to investigate the discrepancy between individuals with positive attitudes towards organ donation and the actual number of registered organ donors in Hong Kong, and to investigate the best modalities for promoting more organ donor registrations.
This cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Hong Kong. Telephone numbers were selected randomly. Upon successful contact with a household, the eligible household member who had the most recent birthday was selected to participate in the telephone interview.
A total of 1000 Hong Kong Chinese residents were interviewed successfully. The response rate was 53.8%. The majority of the respondents were female (68.3%) and were aged 51 to 60 years (24%) or ≥61 years (43.6%). Among the respondents, 31.3% were willing to donate their organs after death; 43.3% were indecisive, and 25.4% refused. Among those who were willing to donate organs after death, only 34.2% had registered with the Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR). Among those who were willing to donate organs after death but had not yet registered on CODR, 52.2% said they were not determined enough to take action, 47.8% said they were too busy, 37.8% said they were too lazy, and 20.4% said they were always forgetful about registering. In all, 32.8% of the interviewees were not aware of the ways to register as a prospective organ donor. Among non-messenger social media platforms, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram were the most commonly used. Most participants believed that Facebook and YouTube were effective for engaging audiences.
More effort should be made to facilitate organ donor registration in face-to-face settings via promotional booths and in online settings via appropriate social media platforms.