Knowledge levels of and attitudes to organ donation and transplantation among university students.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to determine knowledge levels and attitudes about organ donation and transplantation among university students.

METHODS

This descriptive study was performed with third-grade students of medicine, pharmacy, and law at a university. Samples weren't selected in the study and it was executed with 145 students who had agreed to participate in the study. The data was collected using a questionnaire of 19 questions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

71.7% of students had positive views about transplantation of their own organs to a suitable recipient, with half of them giving being useful to others as a reason. Among students who had negative views about organ donation, the most important reason given was that it would mean a loss of bodily integrity. 44.1% of participants had positive views about transplantation of their relatives' organs to another person after death. 51.7% of participants had positive views about transplantation of the organs of a homeless person to another person after death.

CONCLUSION

Students had generally positive views about organ donation. However; organ transplantation and donation should be included in the students' educational programs in order to increase positive attitudes and organ donations, and transform attitudes into behaviors.