A descriptive study of community-based profile and attitudes of body donors of an urban conglomeration in Western India.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Body donation is considered an altruistic act done by people for advancement of science. There has been a significant depreciation in the availability of cadavers for teaching and research all over the world. Unlike India, many countries have studied the profile and attitudes of potential body donors to improve body donation. With a huge health sector, this Indian study studied the profile and attitudes of body donors and their role in aiding science through body donation. METHODS: Four hundred thirty-one survey forms with informed consent were sent to registered body donors. The questionnaire focused on demographic parameters and their perception on body donation. The data were collated, compared and interpreted with similar studies done worldwide. RESULTS: The study shows an interesting pattern among the Indian donors in comparison to the West. An Indian donor is a male individual in 70s, highly educated and religious with good social background. Despite many similarities, there are important distinguishing features unique to our country and many myths surrounding body donation. CONCLUSION: The Indian donor is highly educated male and charitable with strong belief in God. He believes in aiding medical science through body donation.