Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Organ donation is a process where the organs are surgically removed from one person and being transplanted into other person for the medical purpose. However recent statistic shows that there is a shortfall of organ donation globally. Malaysia's organ donation rate is among the lowest. Malaysia is a country with a multiracial resident which are Malay, Chinese, Indian Buddhism, and Christian. This study analysed knowledge, awareness and attitudes regarding organ donation within each group. The present study was conducted at Shah Alam area in Selangor. A total 369 questionnaires were completed. 73.2% agree to donate organs to different races where Chinese were less willing to do so (19.8%) followed by Malay (23.6%) and Indian (29.8%). About 48.5% of the respondents had a good knowledge where Malay is the highest (18.2%) and Indian is the lowest (13.8%). Meanwhile the level of attitudes shows no significant difference among the races with p=0.271. Fortunately, 96.7% of the respondents are aware about the allowance of each religion in organ donation. Unwillingness to donate organ has been influenced by culture-religious perceptions and concrete beliefs towards medical system. So, identifying the barriers and education to the community are of utmost need to overcome the shortage.