Students' knowledge and attitude concerning organ donation at Iraqi nursing colleges

• Main Authors: Haider Mohammed Majeed (Author), Ahmed Fleih Hassan (Author), Ayad Majid Mousa (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2024-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2277-9531; 2319-6440; 10.4103/jehp.jehp_845_23
• Keywords: grafting; health personnel attitudes; knowledge; nursing students'; organ transplantation; Special aspects of education; LC8-6691; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Journal of Education and Health Promotion, Vol 13, Iss 1, Pp 60-60 (2024)

BACKGROUND: Organ transplantation is an effective therapy for end-stage organ failure. However, there is a large gap between the need for and the supply of donor organs. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess nursing students' knowledge and attitudes about organ donation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional design study. The study was conducted at four faculties of nursing, which were Baghdad, Misan, Tikrit, and Kirkuk in Iraq. The three tools included are as follows: I: Socio-Demographic Questionnaire; II: Organ-Tissue Donation and Transplantation Knowledge Scale (ODTKS); and III: Organ Donation Attitude Scale (ODAS). RESULTS: More than two-thirds (71%) of the studied students have an accepted level of knowledge, while 70% of the studied students had a positive attitude toward organ donation and transplantation. There were statistically significant differences (P- value <0.05) between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge level regarding gender, marital status, and academic year. Also, there were significant differences between socio-demographic characteristics and students' attitude levels regarding gender and academic year. CONCLUSION: More than two-thirds of students had a good and fair level of knowledge and a positive attitude toward organ donation and transplantation. Providing lectures within the curriculum is needed for students to raise their knowledge and attitude about organ transplantation and donation.