Introduction: Recent immunological and transgenic advances are a promising alternative using limited materials of human origin for transplantation. However, it is essential to achieve social acceptance of this therapy.Objective: To analyze the attitude of nursing students from Spanish universities toward organ xenotransplantation (XTx) and to determine the factors affecting their attitude.Materials and methods: Type of study: A sociological, multicentre, and observational study. Study population: Nursing students enrolled in Spain (n = 28,000). Sample size:A sample of 10 566 students estimating a proportion of 76% (99% confidence and precision of ±1%), stratified by geographical area and year of study. Instrument of measurement: A validated questionnaire (PCID-XenoTx-RIOS) was handed out to every student in a compulsory session. This survey was self-administered and selfcompleted voluntarily and anonymously by each student in a period of 5-10 min.Statistical analysis: descriptive analysis, Student's t test, the chi-square test, and a logistic regression analysis.Results: A completion rate: 84% (n = 8913) was obtained. If the results of XTx were as good as in human donation, 74% (n = 6564) would be in favor and 22% (n = 1946) would have doubts. The following variables affected this attitude: age (P < 0.001); sex (P < 0.001); geographical location (P < 0.001); academic year of study (P < 0.001); attitude toward organ donation (P < 0.001); belief in the possibility of needing a transplant (P < 0.001); discussion of transplantation with one's family (P < 0.001) and friends (P < 0.001); and the opinion of one's partner (P < 0.001). The following variables persisted in the multivariate analysis: being a male (OR = 1.436; P < 0.001); geographical location (OR = 1.937; P < 0.001); an attitude in favor of donation (OR = 1.519; P < 0.001); belief in the possibility of needing a transplant (OR = 1.497; P = 0.036);and having spoken about the issue with family (OR = 1.351; P < 0.001) or friends (OR = 1.240; P = 0.001).
Conclusions:The attitude of nursing students toward organ XTx is favorable and is associated with factors of general knowledge about organ donation and transplantation and social interaction. K E Y W O R D S attitude, knowledge, Organ xenotransplantation, student nurses 1 | INTRODUC TI ON Due to this organ shortage and the increase in the indications for transplantation, there are increasing numbers of patients on the waiting list with the mortality that this brings with it. 1 In the search for definitive solutions, there is continued research into xenotransplantation (XTx) in order to attempt to obtain an inexhaustible source of cells and organs. 2,3 Although clinical XTx is not a reality at present, in preclinical trials it has been possible to obtain a functioning pig-baboon model. 6 Therefore, in vital organs and in emergency situations, XTx could be used as a bridge while waiting for a human organ. 7,8
The Spanish surgeon Federico Rubio-Galí worked at St. Thomas Hospital in England at the time when Florence Nightingale founded the Nightingale Training School for Nurses (1860). Apparently, he was quite aware of Nightingale's nursing work and expertise and it is known that founded the first Spanish nursing school, in Madrid, in 1896. This led us to wonder if the emergence of his school was purely by chance or was connected to what its founder learned in England. Likely, this learned knowledge led him to apply Nightingale's ideas and to put them into practice in his institution.
Methods:We used content analysis techniques and developed categories and subcategories to search for ideological similarities between Nightingale and Rubio-Galí.
Findings:The results reflected similarities and coincidences on several issues, mainly related to ventilation, light, infection, hygiene, food, rest, practical training, and observation, among others.
Conclusions:The concepts listed by Nightingale and Rubio-Galí are important for the analysis of nursing from an epistemological and ontological perspective. We concluded that Rubio-Galí was fully aware of Nightingale's ideas and that he implemented several of them in his institution.Implications for nursing practice: Historical research always implies progress in the field of practice and knowledge, permitting arise new issues. The data presented in this article open new questions for practice and the history of Spanish nursing.
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