EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS PROGRAM AMONG THE GENERAL POPULATION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A PRE–POST INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

Background Awareness regarding organ donation remains inadequate among the general population despite increasing demand for transplantation services. Public awareness programs play a vital role in improving perceptions and attitudes toward donation (1,2) . Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of an organ donation awareness program among the general population attending a tertiary care hospital during Organ Donation Awareness Week. Methods A pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was adopted for the study. The awareness program was conducted from August 2 to August 8, 2025, during Organ Donation Awareness Week in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 1,198 participants from the general population were selected using a convenient sampling technique. Baseline attitudes toward organ donation were assessed using a structured questionnaire before the intervention. The awareness program included educational lectures, pamphlet distribution, audiovisual presentations, and counseling sessions. Post-test assessment was conducted after the intervention using the same tool. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and percentage distribution. Results Before the intervention, 52.86% of participants demonstrated negative attitudes toward organ donation, 40% had neutral attitudes, and only 7.14% showed positive attitudes. Following the awareness program, no participants exhibited negative attitudes, 21.13% remained neutral, and positive attitudes increased substantially to 78.69%. Conclusion The organ donation awareness program was effective in improving positive attitudes toward organ donation among the general population. Structured educational interventions conducted during awareness campaigns can significantly enhance public understanding and acceptance of organ donation (3,4)