NURSES'LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ON ORGAN DONATION: BASIS FOR EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION

Organ donation remains a critical healthcare intervention that offers life-saving opportunities for patients with irreversible organ failure; however, global and local shortages of organ donors continue to challenge healthcare systems. This study examined nurses’ knowledge and awareness regarding organ donation in selected tertiary hospitals in Metro Manila and determined the relationship between these variables as basis for an educational intervention. A descriptive-correlational quantitative research design was utilized involving 109 registered nurses assigned in intensive care units, emergency rooms, operating rooms, dialysis units, and medical-surgical wards. Data were collected using a validated researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, Spearman rho correlation, and regression analysis. Findings revealed that nurses demonstrated a high level of knowledge on organ donation in terms of definition and importance (WM = 4.32), hospital protocols and procedures (WM = 4.10), role of nurses (WM = 4.41), and ethical and legal considerations (WM = 4.05). Likewise, nurses manifested a high level of awareness regarding organ donation with an overall weighted mean of 4.28. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between nurses’ knowledge and awareness regarding organ donation (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). Regression analysis further revealed that nurses’ knowledge significantly predicted their level of awareness (β = 0.68, p < 0.001). The study concludes that nurses with greater knowledge possess higher awareness and are more capable of promoting ethical organ donation practices. Continuous professional education, institutional support, and policy-driven interventions are necessary to strengthen nurses’ competence and advocacy roles in organ donation.