Evaluation of Suleyman Demirel University last term students' behaviors and attitudes about organ donation

     For Turkey, insufficiency of organ donation is both a public health problem and an ethically discussed manner.
     The aim of this study is to detect behavior and attitude of the last term students at Suleyman Demirel University about organ donation and create sensibility.

     Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from 1690 students in October 2008. A questionnare, that is controlled before, about sociodemographic features, behaviors and attitudes was applied. Data were evaluated with SPSS 11.0. Averages, standart deviations and percentages were given. Chi-square test was used.

     We could access to 1287 students (76.2%). Avarage age was found to be 22.3±1.4 and 54.5% were men. 10.2% of them stated themselves as not well-informed about organ donation and 65.1% of the well-informed group stated themselves as insufficient. Most knowledge resources were radio/TV (76.1%). 17 students (1.3%) stated that they donated their organs. Mostly donated organs were kidney (100%) and liver (82.4%). Among students who didn’t donate their organs, 58.7% of them were thinking about donation.

Two main reasons for not donation were fear that their organs will be used commercially (45.7%) and religious believes (25.7%). 62.3% denoted that, they can donate their organs if their relatives need.

     According to organ donation; there were no significant difference for sexuality. Moreover;  was significantly higher in the group that has the higher economical income; for students whose mother has an education higher then high school; who have a relative working in medical field and who states themselves sufficient for organ donation (p<0.05).

     When we take account that we performed study in an educated group; organ donation ratios were found to be low. To overcome difficulties about donation, we have to inform community and have to make collaboration with religious organizations. To prevent fear that  organs will be used commercially; confidence must be proofed.