Background: The use of unclaimed bodies for anatomical dissection has been the main method of instruction at most Nigerian medical institutions. The dearth of cadavers and increasing numbers of medical school has prompted the need for body donation for teaching and research. This study aimed at assessing the disposition of   anatomists towards body donation in Nigeria.

Methods: A survey was conducted at the Anatomical Society of Nigeria (ASN) 2019 conference held at University of Calabar, Cross River state Nigeria in November 2019 to test two hypotheses: Anatomists approve of the donation of their own bodies for medical education and research; Disposition towards body dissection and donation are not dependent upon incentives, gender or upon the extent of teaching experience. Responses to questionnaires were analysed qualitatively.

Results: Our findings showed that Anatomists disposition towards body donation are dependent upon gender, teaching experience, culture, religion, doubts about honor and dignity maintained in the dissection halls while performing dissections. Among one hundred anatomists that responded to the survey; Males (77.8%) were more receptive to the concept of body donation. Most teachers (61%) said they were unwilling to donate their bodies, and 39% said they would donate their entire bodies.

Conclusion: Our study highlighted the issue of unwillingness to donate bodies amongst anatomist. We therefore strongly recommend awareness campaign for body donation and sensitization of handlers of cadavers about dignity and respect of the donated body.

Keywords: Body Donation, Education, Cadavers

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Dr Ozioko Uche Sebastine

Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria