Did an increase in knowledge and awareness about organ donation improve organ donation rate in India over the past two decades

Context: The growth in the solid organ transplant has not been able to keep pace with the global requirement for organs, with great differences among countries. No previous studies about public awareness related to organ donation over two-decades have been conducted. Aim: The paper focuses on studying the difference in the knowledge and attitude among the Indian public about organ donation, over two decades. The study further probes into the impact that public knowledge has on organ donation rates. Settings and Design: This is a cross-sectional study conducted from 1998 to 2017. The first 10 years of the study (Group-I) was administered physically, whereas in the next 10 years (Group-II) online tools were used to conduct the survey. The total number of respondents in the two decades was 3914. Subjects and Methods: It contained a structured questionnaire with ten multiple choice questions and basic demographic details. The survey questions were the same for both the periods of the study. Statistical Analysis Used: The data entered was analyzed using SPSS v. 19. The knowledge on organ donation was compared between the two decades and if in any increase in awareness was reflected in the organ donation rate. Results: The increase in awareness on the organs and tissues that can be donated was high among Group-II and it was statistically significant (P