Knowledge and awareness of brain death among Saudi population

Bashaier G. AlQahtani; Mohammad Eid M. Mahfouz

doi:10.17712/nsj.2018.3.20180031

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Figure 1
Significant relationships between a participant’s workplace and having enough information about brain death.
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Figure 2
Response of participants in need to BD additional information.
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Figure 3
Numbers of participants who would like more information about brain death.

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Table 1

Socio-demographic information of the participants (N=1244).

Variables	n (%)
*Gender*
Female	992 (79.7)
Male	252 (20.3)
Age (mean±SD)	27.17±9.84
*Nationality*
Saudi	1208 (97.1)
Non-Saudi	36 (2.9)
*Marital status*
Single	800 (64.3)
Married	444 (35.7)
*Region*
Northern	50 (4)
Southern	133 (16)
Eastern	136 (10.9)
Central	288 (23.2)
Western	571 (45.9)
*Educational level*
Elementary school	1 (0.1)
Middle school	24 (1.9)
High school	220 (17.7)
Diploma	55 (4.4)
University stage	837 (67.3)
PhD	43 (3.5)
MA	64 (5.1)
*Specialization for university stage of higher*
Health specialties	393 (31.6)
Scientific studies	23 (2.3)
Computer science	50 (4)
Natural sciences	166 (13.3)
Humanities and Literary Studies	310 (24.9)
Other	103 (8.3)
*Place of work*
Students	676 (54.3)
Doctor	41 (3.3)
Teacher	168 (13.5)
Engineer	12 (1)
Pilot	3 (0.2)
Military	39 (3.1)
Distance working	3 (0.2)
Free worker	21 (1.7)
Work in public transport	3 (0.2)
Non-worker	192 (15.4)
Others	86 (6.9)

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Table 2

Responses of participants to questions testing their knowledge of brain death (N=1244).

Variables	n (%)
*Brain death is*
Stopping of heart	9 (0.7)
Reversible stopping in brain function	278 (22.3)
Irreversible stopping in brain function^*	957 (76.9)
*What do you think causes brain death?*
Correct answers include: stroke\road traffic accident\heart attack\tumors	945 (76)
I don’t know	299 (24)
*Can brain dead patients donate all their organs?*
Yes^*	835 (67.1)
No	144 (11.6)
I don’t know	265 (21.3)
*Can brain death be cured?*
Yes	264 (21.1)
No^*	539 (43.3)
I don’t know	441 (35.6)
*Do you think brain death is real death?*
Yes^*	334 (26.8)
No	691 (55.5)
I don’t know	219 (17.6)
*Is brain death different from a coma?*
Yes^*	987 (79.3)
No	90 (7.2)
I don’t know	167 (13.4)
*What are the signs of brain death? (choose more than one answer)*
Patient do not respond to light^*	396 (31.9)
Patient does not show any reaction to pain^*	411 (33.1)
Eyes do not move when head is moved^*	232 (18.7)
Patient does not breathe without a ventilator^*	551 (44.4)
Patient can respond to light	26 (2.1)
Patient shows reaction to pain	24 (1.9)
Patient can breathe without a ventilator	23 (1.9)
I don’t know	370 (29.8)
All the above	48 (3.9)
*Which of the following can determine brain death?*
Neurologist^*	184 (14.8)
Neurosurgeon	44 (3.5)
Religious scholar	1 (0.1)
Both neurologist and neurosurgeon	848 (68.2)
All the above	81 (6.5)
I don’t know	86 (3.9)
*Do you consider brain death to be a reliable diagnosis?*
Yes	431 (34.6)
No, the brain death criteria are disputable and can be misinterpreted	246 (19.8)
No, medical staff may lack appropriate knowledge	136 (10.9)
I don’t know	431 (34.6)

↵* Correct answer

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Table 3

Significant relationships between knowledge scores and demographic variables.

Variables	n	Mean±SD	95% CI	P-value
*Marital status*
Single	800	5.85±2.56)	5.67-6.03	<0.001
Married	444	4.96±2.62)	4.72-5.21
*Region*
Northern	50	5.04±2.67	4.28-5.80	0.01
Southern	199	5.01±2.41	4.68-5.35
Central	288	5.79±2.65	5.49-6.11
Eastern	136	5.54±2.45	5.13-5.96
Western	571	5.62±2.68	5.41-5.84
*Education level*
Elementary school	1	N/A	N/A	0.019
Middle school	24	5±2.16	5-2.16
High school	220	5.16±2.45	5.16-2.45
Diploma	55	4.98±2.76	4.98-2.76
Undergraduate	837	5.73±2.62	5.73-2.62
Masters	64	5.06±2.6	5.06-2.6
Doctorate	43	5.34±3.5	5.34-3.5
*University or higher degree specialization*
Other	103	4.91±2.38	4.45-5.38	<0.001
Health specialties	393	6.83±2.38	6.60-7.08
Scientific studies	29	5.86±2.5	4.90-6.82
Computer science	50	5.26±2.35	4.60-5.93
Humanities and literary studies	310	4.9±2.66	4.61-5.20
Natural sciences	166	4.82±2.48	4.49-5.25
Not in college	193	5.53±2.61	4.49-5.16