Knowledge and attitudes of Polish university students toward organ donation and transplantation

Organ Donation: Behaviour and Beliefs in Sweden

Introduction

Barely one-fifth of people in Sweden have expressed their will regarding organ donation in the national Swedish Donor Registry, and the number of organ donations in Sweden remains low.

Objective

The aim of this study was to map behaviour and beliefs regarding organ donation in Sweden.

Methods

In a descriptive cross-sectional survey following a quantitative approach and 600 questionnaires were issued to randomly selected individuals across Sweden. Of them, 206 (36.3%) were completed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and presented as frequencies and percentages. Analytical statistical testing involved Pearson chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Results

The results indicate a discrepancy between positive opinion about organ donation in Sweden and the number of people enrolled in the Swedish Donation Registry. The most common argument for not wanting to donate organs was the notion of being too old to. Although self-rated knowledge about organ donation was admittedly low, so was interest in interest in learning more about it. Younger patients more frequently wanted information than older patients did.

Conclusion

Not wanting to donate organs due to age and/or illness may indicate a misconception. Making one's will known does not involve assessing one's health status or age but solely concerns the wish to do so. The findings thus raise an important question: How can people's interest in learning more about organ donation be induced in ethical ways?

Knowledge and attitude regarding organ donation among medical students in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

Objectives

The rate of organ donation in Hong Kong is among the lowest in developed regions. Since medical students will play an important role in counselling patients for organ donation and identifying potential donors in the future, their knowledge, attitudes and action for organ donation are important. This study aims to understand knowledge, attitudes and actions with regard to organ donation among medical students and investigate the factors determining the knowledge and attitudes.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants

Medical students in Hong Kong were invited to complete a questionnaire. 377 medical students participated in the study.

Methods

The questionnaire assessed their attitudes, knowledge, action of organ donation, belief and perception on organ donation, and other factors. Linear regression analyses and logistic regression were performed to analyse the effect of the variables on knowledge, attitudes and action for organ donation.

Results

Almost all medical students (99.5%) held a positive attitude towards organ donation, but only 28.1% have signed up as organ donors. Determinants of knowledge of organ donation included belief in preservation of intact body after death (β = –0.14, 95% CI = –0.24 to –0.04) and perceived confidence and competence of organ donation discussion (β = –0.12, 95% CI = –0.22 to –0.02). Predictors of organ donor registration status included knowledge of organ donation (OR=1.03, 95% CI=1.00 to 1.06), perceived convenience of organ donation registration (OR=3.75, 95% CI=1.62 to 8.71), commitment to organ donation (OR=3.81, 95% CI=2.01 to 7.21) and exposure to organ donation (OR=4.28, 95% CI=2.37 to 7.74).

Conclusions

Knowledge is positively associated with organ donation action. The above determinants of organ donation could be emphasised in medical education.

Revisiting the Relationship between Altruism and Organ Donation: Insights from Israel

The number of people on the waiting list for an organ transplant increases year after year. However, the number of donated organs available for transplantation does not rise in line with this increased demand. This study examines the associations between altruism, attitudes towards organ donation, and behavioral intentions regarding organ donation within the Jewish population in Israel. In a cross-sectional study, 452 participants completed an online questionnaire. Data collection occurred between November and December 2020. Convenience sampling was used, and participation was voluntary. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and independent samples t-tests. Within the study population, we found high levels of altruistic behaviors and positive attitudes toward organ donation. However, the level of behavioral intentions toward organ donation was low. No associations were found between altruism levels and attitudes toward organ donation, or between altruism levels and the degree of behavioral intentions toward organ donation. However, a positive relationship was found between attitudes toward organ donation and willingness to sign an organ donor card. In addition, positive associations were found between religiosity and altruism, while negative associations were found between religiosity and attitudes towards organ donation, and between religiosity and willingness to sign an organ donor card. Positive attitudes toward organ donation may result in increased organ donation in the future. Thus, raising awareness and positive attitudes toward organ donation among the wider public and, in particular, the ultra-Orthodox population in Israel in particular is necessary. Consequently, it is essential that information about the organ donation process is accessible and culturally adaptive to different sectors.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Young Adults Towards Donation of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma and Its Therapeutic Properties

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to investigate the level of knowledge of the young adults towards the possible use of the convalescent plasma (CP) in the treatment of COVID-19 infection and their attitudes towards its donation.

METHODS

Cross-sectional questionnaire was administered online to 1058 university students, representing 4 different colleges. The questionnaire included demographic data and 20 questions related to the knowledge and attitudes of respondents about possible use of the convalescent plasma in the treatment of COVID-19 infection and its donation. Comparative analyses were made using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and the Spearman correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Significant relationships were found between dependent variables (level of knowledge and intensity of attitude) and gender, age, and student's college affiliation. There was no statistically significant correlation between dependent variables and respondents' social background and religious commitment. Studied young adults show a satisfactory knowledge relating to the therapeutic and preventive properties of the COVID-19 convalescent plasma. They also express a sufficient intensity of positive attitude towards CP donation.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the need for appropriate health promotional campaigns and educational programs aimed at popularization of CP donation in the general public, which would increase the chances of involving more patients recovered from COVID-19 disease.

Fresh osteochondral allografts-procurement and tissue donation in Europe

Fresh osteochondral allografts are a well-established treatment for large, full-thickness cartilage defects. The clinical outcome for carefully selected patients is very favorable, especially for the young and active and graft survival up to 25 years has been described in the literature. Furthermore, a high patient satisfaction rate has been reported, but the biggest obstacle to overcome is the availability of tissue for transplantation. Large fresh bone allografts for cartilage damage repair only can be harvested from organ donors following organ removal or cadaveric donors, preferably in the setting of an operation room to minimize possible contamination of the tissue. Apart from the logistic challenges this entails, an experienced recovery team is needed. Furthermore, the public as well as medical staff is much less aware of the possibility and requirements of tissue donation than organ donation and families of deceased are rarely approached for bone and cartilage donation. This review aims to highlight the current situation of organ and tissue donation in Europe with special focus on the processing of bones and possible safety and quality concerns. We analyze what may prevent consent and what might be done to improve the situation of tissue donation.

Donate a Piece of Liver: Is This an Option Accepted by Future Nurses of Pomeranian Medical University in Poland?

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation from living donors (LLD) has become a viable and important source of liver grafts. The objective of this study was to analyze the attitude of nursing students at the Pomeranian Medical University in Poland on donation of live liver, and to determine the factors that affect it.

METHODS

Academic year 2011-2012, nursing students at a university in Poland, sampling points in 5 compulsory-attendance nursing courses with a completion rate of 80%, validated questionnaire (PCID-DVH Rios) filled out anonymously and self-administered.

RESULTS

The completion rate was 89% (227/254). Of the 227 students surveyed, 92% (n = 209) were in favor, 6% (n = 14) undecided, and 2% (n = 4) against. When the LLD is not related, 44% (n = 100) of respondents would be in favor. With a positive attitude toward this type of donation, we associated the following variables: 1) age, with the youngest showing a more favorable attitude (P = .006); 2) attitude in favor of living kidney donation (98% vs 85%; odds ratio, 4.950; 95% confidence interval, 9.259-2.652; P = .002); 3) attitude in favor of accepting a family LLD (96% vs 81%; P = .003); 4) discussing donation and transplantation with family (95% vs 87%; P = .043).

CONCLUSIONS

Ninety-two percent of nursing students at the Pomeranian Medical University in Poland were in favor of live organ donation, an attitude conditioned by various psychosocial factors.

Opinion of Nursing Students of the University of Bydgoszcz in Poland About the Transplantation of Living Liver Donors

INTRODUCTION

Liver transplantation from living liver donation (LLD) has become an important source of liver grafts.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We studied the 2011-2012 academic year attitude of nursing students from a university in Poland. The sampling points were compulsory attendance in the 5 nursing courses. The validated questionnaire was Project Collaborative International Donor-Living Liver Donation Rios. The questionnaire was completed anonymously and was self-administered.

RESULTS

The completion rate was 89% (440 of 495); 91% (n = 398) were in favor of the related LLD, 8% (n = 37) were undecided, and 1% (n = 5) were against. When the attitude toward LLD is not related, 40% (n = 177) of respondents were in favor. The favorable attitude was associated with the following: consideration of the needs of organs for transplantations are covered (P ≤ .001); attitude in favor toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) (P = .001); attitude in favor toward LLD (P = .007); attitude in favor of the acceptance of a LLD by a family member (P = .001); discussion of ODT with the family (P ≤ .001); being in favor of donating organs of a relative (P ≤ .001); and being Catholic (P = .003). After multivariate analysis, we observed the following significant correlations: the thought that the needs of transplantation organs are covered (odds ratio [OR] = 4.608; P = .020); being ready to accept a liver from a LLD (OR = 3.125; P = .038); discussion with the family about the subject of donation and transplantation (OR = 3.215; P = .003); and not belonging to any doctrine or religious belief (OR = 11.363; P = .039).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study 91% of nursing students were in favor of living organ donation.