Knowledge and Attitude towards Eye donation among Adolescents of a Nursing Institute in Mangalore.

Objective: This co relational study with an evaluative approach aimed to explore the knowledge and attitude of nursing students regarding eye donation and determine the relationship between these variables. Methods: 300 nursing students pursuing their baccaulearate and diploma formed the study samples. Purposive sampling techniques was utilised for the selection of the subjects. Knowledge was assessed with the help of structured questionnaire comprising of 30 items and the attitude was assessed using a 5 point Likert scale comprising of 12 items. Reliability of the tools was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha and was found to be 0.763 and 0.798 respectively. Results: Majority 239(79.7%)of the student nurses had ‘Average’ knowledge, 53(17.7%) had ‘Poor’ knowledge and 8(2.7%) had ‘Good’ knowledge regarding eye donation. 271(90.3%) of the nursing students knew the meaning of eye donation, but 247(82.3%) were ignorant of the year in which eye bank was started. Though they were health professionals, majority of the student nurses 186(62%) had ‘Neutral’ attitude, 78(26%) had ‘Positive’ attitude and 36(12%) had ‘Negative’ attitude regarding eye donation. Majority 205(68.3 %) had negative attitude that eye donation does not improve life in the community, 198(68%) felt that eye donation does not save life 95(31.5%) had neutral attitude that eye donation is consistent with moral beliefs and only 98(32.7%) had positive attitude that nurses have right to talk about eye donation with patients and attenders and 89(29.7%) felt that eye donation does not insult human right and dignity. There was a significant positive relationship between knowledge and attitude of nursing students regarding eye donation (r =0.444, p =0.001). Conclusion: Our findings have revealed lack of knowledge of student nurses towards eye donation, and enhanced knowledge can thus positively influence the attitude and perception of individuals.