Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude Towards Organ Donation Among Undergraduate Medical Students of Government Medical College of Western India

Background: Organ transplantation is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure. Despite its importance, India faces a critical shortage of organs, with a donation rate of only 0.8 per million population. Undergraduate medical students, as future healthcare providers, are essential in eliminating myths and promoting organ donation within the community. Objective: To assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitude regarding organ donation and transplantation among undergraduate medical students at a government medical college in Western India. Methods: This was a non-interventional, cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based study conducted among first to fourth-year M.B.B.S. students at Government Medical College, Baramati. Data from 113 participants were collected using a structured Google Form and analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results: The study included 113 participants, primarily over age 18 (109, 96.5%) and female (65, 57.5%). General awareness was high, with 98.2% (111) having heard of organ donation. Most participants (86, 76.1%) correctly identified that organs can be sourced from living, cadaveric, and brain-dead donors. While 98.2% were aware of legal frameworks in India, 89.4% correctly noted above 18yrs age for donors, and 87.5% identified immediate family members, grandparents and even a person who is not a blood relative as those who can provide consent. Conclusion: Although foundational awareness is high, there is a continued need for targeted education on detailed legal and procedural aspects to empower future doctors to act as effective community advocates for organ donation.