Perception and determinants of willingness for voluntary body donation in a tertiary-care population in North-East India: a cross-sectional study

Cadaveric dissection remains vital in early medical education, yet India faces persistent cadaver shortages. Main objectives of this study were to estimate awareness and willingness toward body donation and to identify independent determinants of willingness among adults attending a tertiary-care outpatient department in North-East India. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of adult patients and attendants at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati (March-May 2025). The main outcome was willingness to donate one's body after death. Predictors included demographics, residence, education/occupation, morbidity, comfort discussing voluntary body donation, information sources, knowledge ("where to donate," "who can consent," "importance of body donation"), perceived family agreement, and advocacy. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of 309 respondents (mean age 35.3±10.5 years; 64.1% male), the most frequently cited barrier to willingness was the desire to fulfil religious rites after death (52.3%). In the adjusted model (n=233), family agreement (aOR 15.50; 95% CI: 6.29-38.22) and encouraging others (aOR 7.90; 95% CI: 2.97-21.02) were the only independent positive predictors. Urban residence (aOR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.36-1.29) and knowing where to donate (aOR 1.97; 95% CI: 0.97-4.00) showed suggestive, non-significant trends. Willingness for body donation depends mainly on expected family approval and peer influence but not demographic profile or knowledge. Efforts should focus on helping families accept donation and empowering local advocates, alongside respectful cultural engagement and clear donation logistics.