AUTHOR=Alshamsi Fayez , Al-Bluwi Ghada S. M. , Valero Ricard , Bakoush Omran 

TITLE=Attitudes toward organ donation among university students in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional survey

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1551380

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1551380

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=IntroductionOrgan transplantation is a vital treatment for end-stage organ failure. However, the shortage of available organs remains a significant challenge worldwide. This study aimed to explore university students’ willingness to donate organs, including their views on brain death, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsThe study is cross-sectional survey on the respondents’ knowledge of, attitudes toward, and perceived barriers to and facilitators of organ donation. A total of 521 students completed the survey. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with their willingness to donate their organs after death.ResultsMost of the respondents (69%) were willing to donate their organs after death, and 79% were willing to donate their organs to a loved one during their lifetime. However, only 42.8% accepted brain death as equivalent to death. The most reported reasons behind the respondents’ willingness to donate organs were the belief that it is something everyone should do (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.68) and a responsibility to help loved ones (aOR: 2.63). Meanwhile, the significant barriers to organ donation included a preference for whole-body burial (aOR: 0.079), religious objections (aOR: 0.195), and family objections (aOR: 0.326).DiscussionUniversity students in the UAE show a positive attitude toward organ donation. However, significant barriers, including family and religious objections, remain to be addressed. Increasing public awareness about brain death and establishing mechanisms for securing family consent in advance are crucial steps for the successful implementation of a deceased organ donation program in the UAE.