Browsing by Author "Yeshiwond Abeje"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Religious leaders Knowledge and Attitude toward Corneal Donation A Community-based, Cross-sectional Study in Butajira town, Central Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2025-11-10) Yeshiwond Abeje; Menen Ayalew
    Background: Corneal blindness is a significant public health issue in Ethiopia. There is a severe shortage of donor corneas, which limits transplantation services. Religious beliefs greatly influence donation attitudes, but the views of key religious leaders are not well explored. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and related factors regarding corneal donation among religious leaders in Butajira town, Central Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was done from June to August 2025. Ninety-five religious leaders from Orthodox Christian, Protestant , and Muslim institutions participated. Researcher collected data through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Results: Awareness of corneal donation was high among Christian leaders (Orthodox: 82.1%, Protestant: 82.4%) but lower among Muslim leaders (66.6%). Overall knowledge was poor to moderate (80% combined), and 94.8% had received no formal education on the topic. A clear divide in attitudes appeared across faiths: most Christian leaders held positive attitudes (Orthodox: 85.7%, Protestant: 91.2%) and expressed a willingness to donate. In contrast, only 6.7% of Muslim leaders shared positive attitudes, while most (76.7%) believed their religion forbids donation. Despite their personal beliefs, not one leader ever advocated for donation to their congregation. Qualitative findings revealed key themes: Christian leaders supported donation based on altruism and stewardship, while Muslim leaders opposed it based on bodily sanctity. A major barrier was the need for official support from higher religious authorities. Conclusion: Religious leaders in Butajira could help promote corneal donation, but their influence is limited by theological views and a lack of institutional endorsement. Public health efforts should shift from general awareness to focused engagement with top religious bodies to obtain formal support and create faith-specific educational resources.