Willingness to donate eyes and associated factors among adults in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia: a mixed-methods approach

• Published in: BMJ open ophthalmology 2025-01, Vol.10 (1), p.e002022
• Main Authors: Tefera, Wubalem Addis, Mengistu, Hirut Gebremeskel, Zeleke, Ejigu Gebeye, Lorato, Merkineh Markos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adults; Attitudes; Blindness; Cornea; Corneal transplantation; Corneal Transplantation - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemiology; Ethiopia; Eye (Globe); Eye (Tissue) Banking; Eye Banks; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Households; Humans; Knowledge; Leadership; Low vision aid; Male; Middle Aged; Orbit; Original Research; Rehabilitation; Sample size; Sampling techniques; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Tissue Donors - psychology; Vision; Visual impairment; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2397-3269; 2397-3269
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2024-002022

ObjectiveThis study intended to assess willingness to donate eyes and associated factors among adults in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia.Methods and analysisThis study used a triangulated phenomenological mixed-methods design, involving 1293 adults and eight key informants selected through multistage and purposive sampling. Data collection involved a pretested, semistructured questionnaire for quantitative data and an open-ended guiding questionnaire for qualitative insights. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Gondar, School of Medicine ethics review committee. The data were entered into Epi Info V.7 and analysed using SPSSV.22, with bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression employed to identify significant factors, defined as those with a p value under 0.05. Qualitative data were analysed through thematic content analysis using code software, which included transcription, translation, coding and thematisation, ultimately enriching the quantitative findings.Results and conclusionThe study found that 47.2% (95% CI 44.7, 50.0) participants were willing to donate their eyes. Significant factors influencing willingness included being male (adjusted OdR (AOR)=1.55; 95% CI 1.18, 2.03), being a Christian (AOR=2.08; 95% CI 1.42, 3.04), having a family or friends awaiting for corneal transplantation (AOR=1.78; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.68), completing higher education (AOR=2.63; 95% CI 1.88, 3.69), completing secondary education (AOR=1.77; 95% CI 1.03, 3.04), having a favourable attitude towards eye donation (AOR=4.97; 95% CI 3.70, 6.66) and being aware of eye donation (AOR=3.12; 95% CI 2.23, 4.36). Qualitative analysis indentified barriers such as lack of information, poor attitudes and religious restrictions.Overall, willingness to donate eyes was moderate compared to previous studies. The findings emphasise the need for community education to improve public attitudes and awareness about eye donation to enhance willingness to donate eyes.