Introduction: Organ donation is a critical life-saving procedure yet consent rates in Saudi Arabia are variable. Previous research has often relied on survey data, leaving a gap in understanding how demographic factors and cause of death impact actual organ donation outcomes based on clinical data. This study addresses this gap by analyzing data from the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) to identify key factors influencing family consent for organ donation, providing an evidence-based foundation for improving donation rates.
Method: A quantitative study was conducted using a dataset of 1,939 possible organ donors reported to SCOT between 2021 and 2023. Cases from GCC countries, those under police investigation, or where cardiac arrest occurred before consent could be sought were excluded. The study analyzed the influence of age, gender, country of origin, geographic region, and cause of death on consent outcomes. Nominal logistic regression and Chi-Square tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results: The overall consent rate was 24.93%. The analysis revealed several significant factors influencing consent. Older age groups (30-44, 45-59, and 60+) had significantly higher consent rates than younger groups. Male potential donors had a higher consent rate (28.26%) compared to females (14.17%). Potential donors from non-Arab countries like Bangladesh (65.32%) and the Philippines (60%) showed markedly higher consent rates than those from Arab nations (<10%). Cerebral vascular accidents (CVA) and CNS tumors as causes of death were associated with higher consent rates. Geographic region was not a statistically significant factor.
Conclusion: Demographic factors (age, gender, country of origin) and cause of death have a significant correlation on family consent for organ donation in Saudi Arabia. The findings highlight disparities among different population segments, such as lower consent rates for younger potential donors, females, and individuals of Arab nationality. These results underscore the need for targeted strategies, including culturally sensitive awareness campaigns and tailored communication approaches for healthcare professionals, to address these specific barriers and improve organ donation consent rates across the nation.