Organ Donation: knowledge and attitudes of Health College and other departments' students in a Turkish University

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was assess knowledge and attitudes on organ donation both in the Health College and other departments' students of the university. Methods: The study was carried out among the students enrolled in the Health College (1st group) and the other departments (2nd group) of the same university. A total of 609 university students were taken in the sample group. A questionnaire, with 19 questions, was developed by the researchers after reviewing the literature. Data evaluated with Chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Results: 90.6% of the students in the 1st group and 83% of those in the 2nd group were informed about organ donation. Willingness to donate was significantly higher among the 2nd group students (46%) than the 1st group (35.6%). However, while 4.2% of the 1st group students said that they carried legal donor cards, only 0.7% of the 2nd group students did so. 44.3% of the 1st group and 70% of the 2nd group said they did not know where to apply to become organ donors. 60.2% of the 1st group and 66.7% of the 2nd group reported that organ donation to be religiously appropriate. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate the need for more information and education to prepare university students about organ donation. Especially, the next generation of health care professionals must be targeted.