Evaluation of an educational, theater-based intervention on attitudes toward organ donation in Risaralda, Colombia / Evaluación del impacto de una intervención basada en teatro sobre las actitudes hacia la donación de órganos en Risaralda, Colombia

ABSTRACT

Introduction:The shortage of organs for transplantation is aworldwide problem and the main cause is the refusal of familymembers to donate. Consent to donate is influenced by manyfactors and educational interventions are strongly recommen-ded.Objective:To evaluate the impact of an educational, theater-based strategy on the attitudes toward organ donation.Methodology:This study employed an intervention usingtheater as the central tool. The impact of this interventionon the intention to donate was assessed through a controlled,prospective, nonrandomized designed study. The sample con-sisted of 1,038 people. All the participants answered a surveythat asked about sex, age and intent to donate. Afterward, oneportion of the sample was exposed to the play, The Gift of Life,and a subsequent discussion forum that was guided by experts.The same survey was administered again after the interven-tion.Results:Before the intervention, donation attitudes were posi-tive in 68.3 percent of the responses, negative in 6.8 percent and uncertainin 24.9 percent. Females showed a greater intent to donate while agehad no apparent influence on the donation decision. Those ex-posed to the intervention were found to be more likely to do-nate and show a favorable change in attitude toward donationthan those who were not exposed to the intervention.Conclusion:An educational intervention using theater is aneffective tool to generate a short-term change in the intent todonate. Educational strategies should be employed to increasethe rates of organ donation.