Assessment of knowledge and attitudes of university students from Szczecin to problems associated with transplantation

Ewa Zamojska-Kościów, Arkadiusz Kazimierczak, Włodzimierz D. Majewski

Abstract


Introduction: Organ transplantation is the best and the only method of treatment for patients with terminal organ failure. However, the number of donors is still insufficient. It is thus advisable to take actions eliminating the stereotypes concerning transplantation. The aim of the study was to get to know the opinions of the students of higher education institutions in Szczecin on the topic of organ donation and social barriers in transplantology.
Material and methods: The research was conducted in 2010-2013 and it comprised 1,400 students (864 women - 61.7% and 536 men - 38.3%). The average age of the participants was 21.6. Questionnaire about organ donation and transplantation was used as the research tool.
Results: The students generally accept transplantology and most of them would like to be an organ donor (almost 84%). Medical university students more frequently declare having the knowledge of transplantology (73%), express their willingness to donate organs (87%) and accept xenotransplantation (74%). Female students declare their intention to donate organs more often than male students (68% versus 57% in males) and to receive organ donation (66% versus 56% in males).
Conclusions: There was a diverse degree of the acceptance of organ donation depending on the respondents’ sex and type of studies. Medical students demonstrated the highest degree of understanding the issue. The degree of acceptance changes depending on the respondent’s sex. Women have a more understanding approach to the issue of transplantation and declare the willingness to become a donor more frequently than men. The majority of students want to donate their organs after death, especially to their own family members. Values derived from home and accepting transplantation by the mother are the most significant factors affecting one’s willingness to donate organs. Television is the main source of information about transplantation. Thus it is particularly important to conduct campaigns promoting transplantation in the media. 


Keywords


organ transplantation; organ donors; xenotransplantation

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.21164/pomjlifesci.686

Copyright (c) 2021 Ewa Zamojska-Kościów, Arkadiusz Kazimierczak, Włodzimierz D. Majewski

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