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.