The influence of Islamic views on public attitudes towards kidney transplant donation in a Saudi Arabian community.

Public attitudes towards organ donation during life and at death were examined in a randomised survey of 850 individuals, both male and female, in a representative Saudi Arabian community in Riyadh. Demographic categories accounted were age, sex, marital status, cultural and ethnic background, educational level and occupation. Of the sampled population 87% were native Saudi and the mean age was 30.7 years. Students and teachers made up the largest occupational groups and only 8.1% were illiterate. Although only 10.1% of all subjects had signed a kidney donor card, a further 42.6% expressed willingness to do so. Acceptance of organ donation at death was highest amongst males and in the age group below 30 years (P less than 0.05). There was no differential effect of the various demographic sub-groups in willingness for kidney donation during life. Sixty-five per cent were ready to donate to a close relative and 9.3% were even prepared to do so to a non-related recipient. The Islamic view supporting concepts of transplantation provided the strongest positive influence for organ donation both during life and at death. Dread of mutilation and the fear that pre-consent may adversely affect treatment after serious injury proved potent negative influences.