Knowledge, attitudes and practices about corneal donation and transplantation in rural and urban communities in Honduras.

Abstract

Justification: approximately 600 people require corneal transplantation in Honduras. The greatest difficulty for this procedure is that there is no eye bank in the country. Furthermore, knowledge studies on donation and transplantation are scarce. Objective: to know the attitudes and practices of the rural versus the urban population regarding corneal donation and transplantation, according to knowledge and sociodemographic factors, in order to design an action plan to raise awareness of the importance of positive donor behavior for the benefit of the patient with corneal blindness. Methodology: descriptive study carried out between May and September 2019 in Comayagua, Intibucá and Francisco Morazán. With a sample of 350 people per department, for a total of 1050 participants over 18 years of age and of both sexes. An interview was conducted by researchers, under the Likert scale, previously validated. Variables grouped in demographic, socio-personal, work, knowledge, beliefs and skills. The data were analyzed using odds ratios and cross products. The results were expressed in percentages, frequencies and odd ratio. Results: 74.86% expressed a positive donor attitude, 67.55% would donate to anyone who needed it, 48% know about the characteristics required for the donor and. less than 10% know what the cornea is. The negative factors for the donation are rural origin, relatives and unemployment in Intibucá and religious reasons in the rural area of Comayagua and urban population of Francisco Morazán. Conclusions: it´s important to overcome the limitations imposed by misinformation, for this it is necessary to promote a culture of donation through the creation of educational communication strategies, in order to improve visual health and population demand.