Improving Attitudes and Knowledge Toward Organ Donation Among Nursing Students

Abstract

This study explored how an educational intervention related to organ donation affected the knowledge and attitude of a randomized two group sample of baccalaureate nursing students. A convenience sample of 101 subjects in the experimental group and 83 subjects in the control group were asked to complete a pretest. One week later the experimental group attended a one hour education intervention. Two weeks after intervention the pretest questionnaire was administered as a post test to the experimental and control groups. The introduction of specific education strategies improved the attitudes and knowledge base of the experimental group. SPSS results indicated a 40% increase in knowledge and an 8.5% increase in attitudes in the experimental group. Post-intervention knowledge was the sole significant predictor of post-intervention attitude scores. Results support nurse educator's use of a short term educational intervention as a means to improve knowledge and attitudes towards donation among nursing students.

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“…These results are similar to the findings of other studies using midwifery, nursing, and social work students in Turkey and other countries. [7][8][9][16][17][18][19]21,[23][24][25]27 Whisenant and associates 12 argued that nursing students in the United States and other countries lack knowledge regarding organ donation, and this causes contradictions on making organ donations. Students with insufficient knowledge regarding organ donation are prospective midwives, nurses, and social work professionals who will be employed at medical institutions and at organ transplant centers, bringing with them the above-mentioned findings.…”

“…Nevertheless, school of health students and social work students will play key roles in providing accurate information, guidance, and counselling for society. [5][6][7][8]11,12,20,22,33 According to the March 3, 1980 declaration, numbered 396/13, of the Higher Board of Religious Issues of Directorate of Religious Affairs in Turkey, organ donation is permissible in Islam under the appropriate conditions. However, organ and tissue transplant in return for profit is prohibited.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Studies have shown that even students from health sciences enrolled in departments of medicine, midwifery, or nursing lack the appropriate knowledge and have negative attitudes regarding organ donation and transplant. 5,[7][8][9][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] In many countries, including Turkey, the undergraduate curricula of midwifery, nursing, and social work contain no courses on organ donation and transplant. 12,17,18 The prevalence of those who agree on organ donation varies between 47.6% and 86.8%.…”

“…5,[7][8][9][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] In many countries, including Turkey, the undergraduate curricula of midwifery, nursing, and social work contain no courses on organ donation and transplant. 12,17,18 The prevalence of those who agree on organ donation varies between 47.6% and 86.8%. 7,9,16,19,20 There is limited research about students from social work, midwifery, and nursing departments.…”

“…[5][6][7][8]11,12,20,22 This study sought to identify individual and social factors related to negative attitudes regarding organ donation and transplant of first-and second-year undergraduate students in midwifery, nursing, and social work.…”