Prospects of organ donation among general population in KSA: Promising perceptions but limited commitment.

Authors

Am M Badahdah, Mohammed O Nassif

Published in

Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences. Volume 21. Issue 5. Pages 901-909. Epub Aug 13, 2026.

Abstract

Despite high public support, organ donation after death remains suboptimally practiced in Saudi Arabia. This disparity highlights a critical willingness-to-commitment gap in the population. This study aimed to identify a historical baseline of awareness and acceptance of organ donation after death, and explore its principal determinants and barriers.
Retrospective analysis was conducted using a data set derived from an anonymous cross-sectional survey among adult residents of Saudi Arabia in 2017. The questionnaire assessed awareness of donation campaigns, attitudes toward organ donation after death, and the possession of donor card. Associations between demographic variables and key outcomes were analyzed using chi-squared tests and odds ratios (ORs).
Among 2609 participants (mean age 30.9 ± 11.1 years; 56% female; 94.5% Saudi), 82.1% supported organ donation after death but only 5.6% possessed donor cards. Males expressed lower support (OR = 0.76, p < 0.05). Higher educational qualification was associated with increased awareness of donation events (OR = 1.38, p < 0.01), knowledge of donor cards (OR = 1.41, p < 0.01), and card possession (OR = 2, p < 0.01). Being employed significantly impacted awareness and card possession ( p < 0.01). Religious uncertainty (26%), emotional fears (20%), and concerns about body manipulation (17%) were the most cited barriers. Males more often cited religious reasons (33%), whereas women more frequently reported personal concerns (23%).
Public support for organ donation is strong in Saudi Arabia but formal registration remains low. To bridge this intention-to-action gap, public health efforts could benefit from targeted outreach directed at key demographic groups characterized by high acceptance, as well as incorporating strategies to reach underserved populations with lower awareness to ensure a more comprehensive public health approach.

PMID:
42633243
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 23 Aug 2026.

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