Knowledge, attitudes, and organ donor registration among medical and health sciences students: A cross-sectional study in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Science University, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
- 2Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Science University, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Science University, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
- 4College of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Science University, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Abstract
Background: Healthcare students serve as frontline ambassadors in promoting public awareness and shaping attitudes toward organ donation. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and organ donor registration among university students in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, and identified factors associated with organ donor registration. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate health sciences students using a structured self-administered questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of organ donation and transplantation, attitudes, and donor registration status. Results: The study included 428 students. The mean knowledge score was 7.77 ± 2.85 out of 19, indicating gaps in understanding of the definition of brain death, donor eligibility, and legal requirements. The mean attitude score was 41.58 ± 6.61 out of 65, suggesting generally positive attitudes towards organ donation, although concerns regarding organ misuse, body disfigurement, lack of trust, and fear of reduced quality of medical care were reported. Only 28.0% of participants were registered as organ donors, with a lack of awareness (39.0%) being the most frequently reported barrier among non-registered students. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, non-Arab students had lower adjusted odds of registration than Arab students, including Emiratis (aOR = 0.149, 95% CI: 0.072–0.310, p < 0.001). Compared with medical students, pharmacy (aOR = 0.050), dentistry (aOR = 0.032), and nursing students (aOR = 0.024) had significantly lower adjusted odds of registration (all p < 0.001). Students with a medical parental educational background also had lower adjusted odds of registration than those with a non-medical parental background (aOR = 0.129, 95% CI: 0.063–0.264, p < 0.001). Knowledge and attitude scores were not significantly associated with registration. Conclusion: Despite generally positive reported attitudes toward organ donation, self-reported donor registration remained low, highlighting a discrepancy between stated willingness and registration behavior. Educational and awareness initiatives should address knowledge gaps, misconceptions, trust-related concerns, and perceived barriers to registration.
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BibTeX
@article{salama2026knowledge,
title = {{Knowledge, attitudes, and organ donor registration among medical and health sciences students: A cross-sectional study in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE}},
author = {Rasha Aziz Attia Salama and Naveen Kumar and Mohamedanas Patni and Shadha Nasser Mohammed Bahutair and Sufyan Mohammed and Saiha Khan and Minha Shehed and Omar Khalid},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0362203},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0362203},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Knowledge, attitudes, and organ donor registration among medical and health sciences students: A cross-sectional study in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
AU - Rasha Aziz Attia Salama
AU - Naveen Kumar
AU - Mohamedanas Patni
AU - Shadha Nasser Mohammed Bahutair
AU - Sufyan Mohammed
AU - Saiha Khan
AU - Minha Shehed
AU - Omar Khalid
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0362203
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0362203
AB - Background: Healthcare students serve as frontline ambassadors in promoting public awareness and shaping attitudes toward organ donation. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and organ donor registration among university students in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, and identified factors associated with organ donor registration. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate health sciences students using a structured self-administered questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of organ donation and transplantation, attitudes, and donor registration status. Results: The study included 428 students. The mean knowledge score was 7.77 ± 2.85 out of 19, indicating gaps in understanding of the definition of brain death, donor eligibility, and legal requirements. The mean attitude score was 41.58 ± 6.61 out of 65, suggesting generally positive attitudes towards organ donation, although concerns regarding organ misuse, body disfigurement, lack of trust, and fear of reduced quality of medical care were reported. Only 28.0% of participants were registered as organ donors, with a lack of awareness (39.0%) being the most frequently reported barrier among non-registered students. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, non-Arab students had lower adjusted odds of registration than Arab students, including Emiratis (aOR = 0.149, 95% CI: 0.072–0.310, p < 0.001). Compared with medical students, pharmacy (aOR = 0.050), dentistry (aOR = 0.032), and nursing students (aOR = 0.024) had significantly lower adjusted odds of registration (all p < 0.001). Students with a medical parental educational background also had lower adjusted odds of registration than those with a non-medical parental background (aOR = 0.129, 95% CI: 0.063–0.264, p < 0.001). Knowledge and attitude scores were not significantly associated with registration. Conclusion: Despite generally positive reported attitudes toward organ donation, self-reported donor registration remained low, highlighting a discrepancy between stated willingness and registration behavior. Educational and awareness initiatives should address knowledge gaps, misconceptions, trust-related concerns, and perceived barriers to registration.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -