Introduction: In Saudi Arabia, although there has been notable multifaceted progress across various fields, the healthcare sector still grapples with low rates of organ donation, largely due to cultural and religious influences. In the year 2022, a striking 73.33% of families declined to give consent for organ donation after brain death. To gain a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon, a three-dimension strategy is employed: analyzing the outcomes of 2022, reviewing existing Saudi Arabian studies that illuminate cultural and religious barriers, and aiming to uncover the other intrinsic reasons behind these refusals.
Methodology: This study involves a retrospective analysis of medical records provided by transplant coordinators in the donor medical records of 2022. A random sampling technique was utilized to select participants. The analysis aims to identify key determinants for family refusal of deceased organ donation. Additionally, a literature review on family consent for deceased organ donation in Muslim countries was conducted for data comparison. IBM SPSS 29 was employed for data analysis.
Results: Noteworthy factors contributing to refusals include skepticism concerning brain death (26.9%) and a lack of conviction about organ donation (72.1%). Religious reasons were responsible for merely (2.7%) of refusals, whereas social factors played a very minimal role (1.8%). Dissatisfaction with the level of care in intensive care units (ICUs) was a similarly minor concern (2.3%). When analyzing the differences in refusal rates among various nationalities, distinct variations became evident, highlighting the crucial significance of culturally rooted disparities in perceptions and attitudes towards this issue. On national level, geographical disparities revealed higher refusal rates in regions such as Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern region. Moreover, the study highlighted how the mode of communication—whether through direct interviews or video calls—can influence refusal rates.

Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore the need for interventions aimed at increasing consent rates for organ donation. These interventions should consider cultural subtleties and individual anxieties. By adopting a multifaceted approach involving education, awareness campaigns, and personalized communication, healthcare professionals and policymakers can work together to enhance deceased organ donation rates. Ultimately, these efforts can lead to more successful transplantations, thereby saving lives.