• P Agbenorku, M Agbenorku, and G Agamah.
• Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. pimagben@yahoo.com
• Ghana Med J. 2013 Mar 1; 47 (1): 30-4.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the level of awareness and attitudes towards face and organ transplant among the people of Kumasi, Ghana.DesignAn observational study was employed, where participants were randomly selected for the study.ParticipantsThe respondents were commuters waiting to board public vehicles at the Kejetia lorry station, Bantama/Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital taxi station, Buokrom Estate F-line lorry station, traders, and residents of Adum and Bantama, all in Kumasi.MethodsThe descriptive study was conducted from 1(st) February to 30(th) April 2009. An interview-based questionnaire was used for the convenient sample of respondents. Data obtained included: demographic profile and items covering awareness, attitudes and beliefs towards face and organ transplant.ResultsOut of the 1020 respondents, females (53.2%) outnumbered males. The age of respondents ranged from 10 to 89 years; mean was 27.50± 2.98 years; majority (72.3%) was Christians, whilst 61.8% had gone through tertiary education. Few (33.5%) of the respondents were aware of face transplant; 70.0% and 62.1% were willing to receive a face if their face was disfigured or donate their face when dead respectively. Also, 50.6% were aware of organ transplant, whiles 59.1% would receive/donate an organ when required. Multiple regression analysis shows statistical significant association between attitudes, awareness and demographic variables listed.ConclusionFace and organ transplant were found to have a relatively low and high awareness level respectively. However, an affirmative attitude was recorded for face and organ transplant. More education on face and organ donations is needed.

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