Knowledge and attitude towards hematopoietic stem cell transplantation among medical students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: To identify the knowledge and attitudes of medical students at Jazan University towards hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved all medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, between October 2018 and February 2019. Data were collected using a questionnaire that has been used in a previous study conducted at Mayo Medical School, Minnesota, USA. RESULTS: Out of 800 students, 744 completed the questionnaire (the response rate was 93%). Sixty-seven students (9%) were already registered in the Saudi stem cell donor registry (SSCDR). The participants’ knowledge on donor eligibility was 37.4% and the donation process was 23.6%. Registered students were more likely to join the registry if there was a drive in their area (n=65 [97%], p=0.000), and more likely to donate stem cells to any matched patient (n=58 [86.6%], p=0.000). The main concern of the participants was the long-term side effects (48%). CONCLUSION: Most students lack the knowledge on HSCT. However, the students who registered in SSCDR had better knowledge and attitudes towards HSCT than the unregistered. Long-term side effects of HSCT were the most common concern of the participants. However, time commitment was the major concern of the registered students.