Knowledge and attitudes among first year medical students about organ donation
Zeynep Baykan1, Melis Naçar1, Refika Yamanel2, Aslıhan Özge Uzun2, Şeyma Dağlıtuncezdi2, Hatice Davran2, Gülen Murt2
1Erciyes Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Tıp Eğitimi A.D., Kayseri, Türkiye
2Erciyes Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kayseri, Türkiye
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and behaviour among first year medical students about organ donation.
Materials and Methods: The research population was the 143 students in the first year at Erciyes University Medical School and 72.0% of the students (n=103) completed the survey. The research data were collected with a questionnaire prepared by the researchers. Number, percentage calculation, and chi-square test were used in the data analysis.
Results: Out of 103 students 34.0% were wiling to donate their organs, while 15.5% refused and 50.5% were uncertain. Only 2.9% had signed an organ donor card. All of the students were thinking that their knowledge about transplantation is sufficient.
Conclusion: The willingness of the students to donate their organs was low and the ones who want to donate has not got a card. In order to enhance the attitude of the students toward organ donation, education programmes in the curriculum must start in the early period.
Keywords: Organ donation, students, knowledge, attitude