RT Article
T1 Informing the UK Muslim Community on Organ Donation: Evaluating the Effect of a National Public Health Programme by Health Professionals and Faith Leaders
JF Journal of religion and health
VO 62
IS 3
SP 1716
OP 1730
A1 Ali, Omar M. E.
A1 Gkekas, Eleftherios
A1 Ali, Ahmad M. S.
A1 Tang, Tsz Yau Tiffany
A1 Ahmed, Sameer
A1 Chowdhury, Imadul
A1 Waqar, Salman
A1 Hamed, Amer
A1 Al-Ghazal, Sharif
A1 Ahmed, Saeed
LA English
PB Springer Science + Business Media B. V.
YR 2023
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1847046819
AB There is a significant shortage of transplantable organs in the UK particularly from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, of which Muslims make a large proportion. The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) held a nationwide series of community gatherings with the aim of describing the beliefs and attitudes to organ donation amongst British Muslims and evaluate the efficacy of a national public health programme on views and uncertainties regarding religious permissibility and willingness to register. Eight public forums were held across the UK between June 2019 and March 2020 by the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA). A panel of experts consisting of health professionals and Imams discussed with audiences the procedures, experiences and Islamic ethico-legal rulings on organ donation. Attendees completed a self-administered questionnaire which captured demographic data along with opinions before and after the session regarding religious permissibility and willingness to register given permissibility. A total of 554 respondents across seven UK cities were included with a M:F ratio 1:1.1. Only 45 (8%) respondents were registered as organ donors. Amongst those not registered multiple justifications were detailed, foremost of which was religious uncertainty (73%). Pre-intervention results indicated 50% of respondents were unsure of the permissibility of organ donation in Islam. Of those initially unsure or against permissibility or willingness to register, 72% changed their opinion towards deeming it permissible and 60% towards a willingness to register indicating a significant change in opinion (p < 0.001). The effectiveness of our interventions suggests further education incorporating faith leaders alongside local healthcare professionals to address religious and cultural concerns can reduce uncertainty whilst improving organ donation rates among the Muslim community.
K1 Asian and minority ethnic (BAME)
K1 Black
K1 Faith
K1 Inequalities
K1 Muslim
K1 Organ Donation
K1 Transplantation
K1 United Kingdom
DO 10.1007/s10943-022-01680-9