Attitude Toward Organ Donation Related to Personal Preferences for the Final Disposition of the Dead Body in Nursing Students in Southeast Spain

Exploring Health Science Students' Notions on Organ Donation and Transplantation: A Multicenter Study

The knowledge acquired during university education about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) decisively influences the information future health professionals transmit. This is important in ODT where the participation of the general public is essential to obtain organs.

OBJECTIVE

To determine notions of Spanish medicine and nursing students on ODT and its relationship with attitude toward ODT.

METHODS AND DESIGN

and design. We conducted a sociologic, multicenter, and observational study. The population for our study consisted of medical and nursing students in Spanish universities. Our database was the Collaborative International Donor Project, stratified by geographic area and academic course. A validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO-RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. Our sample consisted of 9598 medical and 10,566 nursing students (99% confidence interval; precision of ±1%), stratified by geographic area and year of study.

RESULTS

The completion rate for our study was 90%. Only 20% (n=3640) of students thought their notions on ODT were good; 41% (n=7531) thought their notions were normal; 36% (n=6550) thought their notions were scarce. Comparing groups, there were differences between those who believed that their notions on ODT were good (44% nursing vs 56% medical students; P < .000), and those who believed it scarce (54% nursing vs 46% medical students; P < .000). Notions on ODT were related with attitude toward the donation of one's own organs: those who considered their notions were good were more in favor then those who considered it scarce (88% vs 72%; P < .000).

CONCLUSION

Only 20% of Spanish medical and nursing students thought their notions on ODT were good. Having good knowledge is related to a favorable attitude towards ODT. Receiving specific information on the subject could improve their knowledge about ODT during their training.

Attitudes Toward Organ Donation: Differences Between Medical and Nursing Andalusian Students

INTRODUCTION

A favorable attitude toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) is fundamental among health professionals at the time of transplant promotion. In this sense, the training and awareness of professionals are fundamental.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the differences in the attitude toward ODT and the factors that condition it among Andalusian medical and nursing students.

METHODS AND DESIGN

The study is a sociologic, multicenter, observational study. The population includes medical and nursing students in Andalusian universities. Database of the Collaborative International Donor Project is used and data are stratified by geographic area and academic course. The instrument of measurement was a validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO-RIOS) that was handed out to every student in a compulsory session. Completion of the questionnaire was anonymous and self-administered. The sample included Andalusian medical and nursing students (99% confidence and precision of ±1%) stratified by geographic area and year of study.

RESULTS

There was a completion rate of 91%; 79% (n = 2879) of Andalusian students were in favor of donation and 21% were not in favor. The attitude toward ODT is more favorable in medical compared with nursing students (80% vs 77%; P = .021). The psychosocial profile toward donation is similar in both groups relating to the following variables (P < .05): knowing a transplant patient, having received information about the subject, attitude toward family donation, and having discussed transplantation with family and friends.

CONCLUSION

Andalusian medical students favored organ donation more than Andalusian nursing students, and the favorable attitude is associated with having an awareness of the subject.

Nursing Students' Knowledge About Organ Donation and Transplantation: A Spanish Multicenter Study

Health care professionals and the information that they provide to the public on organ donation and transplantation (ODT) influence attitudes toward this option.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to analyze the knowledge of university nursing students at Spanish universities toward ODT and the factors affecting it.

METHODS AND DESIGN

The methods and design included a multicenter, sociologic, and observational study including university nursing diploma students in a complete academic year.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of 10,566 students was selected stratified by geographic area and year.

INSTRUMENT

A validated questionnaire of knowledge toward ODT (PCID-DTO RIOS), self-administered and completed anonymously.

RESULTS

Questionnaire completion rate: 85% (n = 9001). Only 18% (n = 1580) believed that their knowledge about ODT was good, 40% (n = 3578) believed that the information they had was normal, and 39% believed that their knowledge was sparse. Of the students, 96% believed that organ needs are not covered and 79% that they might need a transplant in the future. Only 39% (n = 3493) had attended a talk about ODT. Furthermore, 83% (n = 7435) believed that attending a talk would be interesting. The following variables were associated with having a more adequate knowledge: gender (62% men vs 57% women; P < .001); academic year (P < .001); knowing a donor (P < .001); knowing a transplant patient (P < .001); believing the possibility of needing a transplant oneself in the future (P < .001); attitude toward deceased donation (P < .001); and interest in receiving an informative talk about ODT (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Only 18% of nursing students in Spain believed that their knowledge about ODT was adequate. These results must be considered for possible training plans for these future professionals.