Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
The demand for organ donations in the UK exceeds the supply, despite changes in the law to an opt-out system in 2020. Previous research indicates that factors like age, gender, ethnicity, education, and attitude influence donation behaviour. The Muslim community, in particular, exhibits lower rates of organ donation, but interventions addressing religious permissibility have shown promise.
This study aims to investigate the impact of comic and written narrative interventions on organ donation registration decisions and willingness to share these decisions among individuals from the Islamic faith. Additionally, the researchers will assess the effectiveness of these interventions in improving knowledge of organ donation.
Who can participate?
Adults (aged 18 years and above) from the Islamic faith, residing in Scotland, Wales, England, or Northern Ireland, who can read English. Participation will be through the online Prolific platform.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups receiving different organ-donation narratives: existing NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) website information only, NHSBT information with a comic-style narrative, or NHSBT information with a written narrative. The researchers will collect data at three timepoints: baseline, immediately after reading the narrative and 1 month later during the follow-up.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The goal is to achieve an increase in organ donation registrations among the Muslim population. The study poses minimal risks, as it does not involve biological samples, treatments, or sensitive questions.
Where is the study run from?
University of Brighton (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2023 to July 2024
Who is funding the study?
National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NSHBT), Department of Health and Social Care (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Simonne Weeks , S.Weeks@brighton.ac.uk
Study website
Contact information
Type
Principal Investigator
Contact name
Mrs Simonne Weeks
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0390-9119
Contact details
University of Brighton
Cockcroft Building
Lewes Road
Brighton
BN2 4NU
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1273 600900
s.weeks@brighton.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT/CTIS number
Nil known
IRAS number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Secondary identifying numbers
Nil known
Study information
Scientific title
Effect of reading comics vs written narrative on organ donation registration rates amongst Muslim adult population in the UK: a randomised control trial
Acronym
Study hypothesis
This research will investigate whether the development and evaluation of comic and written narrative interventions to increase engagement in registering and discussing an organ donation choice which is a NHSBT commitment to build support for donation amongst Black, Asian, mixed heritage and minority ethnic communities. Specifically, this research will evaluate amongst Muslims whether:
H1: Comics and/or written narratives will increase the number of organ donation choice registrations in comparison to control groups.
H2: Comics and/or written narratives will increase the sharing, discussing and promoting their organ donation choice with others one-month post-intervention.
Ethics approval(s)
Approved 25/07/2023, Cross School Research Ethics Committee (University of Brighton, Mithras House, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4AT, United Kingdom; +44 (0)1273 600900; l.wignall@brighton.ac.uk), ref: CREC 12487
Study design
Randomized control trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)
Internet/virtual
Study type
Efficacy
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Condition
Registrations on the UK NHSBT Organ Donation Register
Intervention
To establish the effectiveness of comics and test whether comic style adds anything to the outcomes, participants will be randomised into a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. The control will be pre-existing NHSBT information related to the comic and written narrative content located on the NHSBT website.
All eligible participants will be randomly assigned into three different study arms:
1. Read NHSBT website information only (control)
2. NHSBT information and COMICS narrative (comic intervention)
3. NHSBT information and WRITTEN narrative (written intervention)
Using a web-based randomisation algorithm, Qualtrics will randomly allocate participants to each of the experimental arms with 1:1:1 allocation. Because Prolific handles the interaction between the study investigators and participants, the participants will be completely anonymous to the study investigators. The outcome measures will be self-reported and submitted anonymously. Participants and members of the research team will be blinded to the trial arm allocation.
Intervention type
Behavioural
Primary outcome measure
Registration rates depending on the narrative format measured using self-reported donor status at 1-month follow-up survey post intervention
Secondary outcome measures
1. Attitudes towards narrative format measured using the Attitude Information Score in the immediate post-intervention survey
2. Likelihood to use narrative measured using the Discuss Information Scale in the immediate post-intervention survey
3. Discussion rates depending on the narrative format using self-reported Discuss Donation Status at 1-month follow-up survey post intervention
4. Attitudes towards organ donation measured using the Affective Attitude Score at 1-month follow-up survey post intervention
Overall study start date
01/01/2023
Overall study end date
01/07/2024
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Resident of the UK
2. Aged 18 years or older
2. Identifies as part of the Islamic religion
3. Reads English
4. Agrees to 1-month follow up
Participant type(s)
Healthy volunteer
Age group
Adult
Lower age limit
18 Years
Sex
Both
Target number of participants
293
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Prolific approval rating of less than 95%
2. Have at least 20 previous prolific submissions
Recruitment start date
14/08/2023
Recruitment end date
01/11/2023
Locations
Countries of recruitment
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, United Kingdom, Wales
Study participating centre
University of Brighton
Mithras House
Lewes Road
Brighton
Sussex
BN2 4AT
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Brighton
Sponsor details
Mithras House
Lewes Road
Brighton
BN2 4AT
England
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1273 600900
l.wignall@brighton.ac.uk
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
ROR
Funders
Funder type
Government
Funder name
NHS Blood and Transplant
Alternative name(s)
National Health Service Blood and Transplant, UK National Health Service Blood and Transplant, NHSBT
Funding Body Type
government organisation
Funding Body Subtype
Local government
Location
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
The researchers will publish the research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present them at scientific conferences. Open-access publishing will be prioritised for wider accessibility. Lay summaries will be created to communicate with the public. Collaboration with stakeholders and data sharing will be pursued. The primary outcomes will be published promptly after the study's completion. This plan aims to promote transparency and contribute valuable knowledge to the scientific community and the public.
Intention to publish date
14/08/2024
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share
No
IPD sharing plan
The data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.
IPD sharing plan summary
Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|