Abstract |
Background: Organ donation rates in Greece are among the lowest in the European Union. Studying and improving young students’ awareness may increase organ donation rates. This study aimed to investigate young students’ knowledge, information and attitude regarding organ donation and the predictors of influence.
Method - Material: The study was designed in terms of feasibility research, using an anonymous questionnaire of 36 closed-ended questions, divided into two parts. The first group of questions refers to the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents while the second the investigates the knowledge, attitude and awareness of the respondents regarding organ donation. The final sample consists of 67 high-school students of Municipality of Heraklion, aged 15-20 years. The statistical analysis was done with the SPSS statistical package, while using Microsoft Office Excel 2016, the statistical processing was implemented by frequency tables and x2 independence checks.
Results: The results of the study show that the majority of the participants 61,2% (Ν=41) were positively oriented towards donating organs after death; however, 74,6% (Ν=50) of them have not discussed their intentions to express consent with people close to them. 98,5% (Ν=66) of the sample would like to be better informed about organ donation, while a 71,6% (Ν=48) feels certain that the medical staff will exert the same effort to save their life regardless of the consent to donate their organs if deceased. Demographic and social characteristics do not seem to affect the sample’s decision to donate organs. Nevertheless, it was more likely to refuse to donate organs after their death: Those who are concerned about the extraction of organs when deceased (χ2=35,922, p<0,05). Τhose who disagree that the donation of organs after death is an act of kindness (χ2=6,708, p<0,05). Those who fear that the organs of a donor could be used for multiple purposes without his/ her consent, as for example a medical research study (χ2=16,061, p<0,05). Those who believe that the donation of organs is against religion (χ2=10,392, p<0,05). Those who believe that the body should be left intact after death (χ2=41,821, p<0,05).
Conclusions: The study revealed the need for better education and instruction of young people over the practice of organ donation. The fears and viewpoints that influence negatively the participants were also unveiled. It seems, therefore, that a well- rounded education on organ donation could improve the current situation.
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