Organ Donation: What Are the Opinions of Nursing Students at the University of Bialystok in Poland?

BACKGROUND:Nursing students, as future professionals, have an enormous impact on the opinion of the rest of the population on topics of organ donation and transplantation (ODT). The objective of this study was to analyze the attitudes of nursing students at the University of Bialystok toward ODT, and to determine the factors that affect ithemt. METHODS:Academic year 2011-2012. STUDY POPULATION:nursing students at the University of Bialystok. Type of sampling: sampling points during 5 compulsory-attendance nursing courses with >80% fulfillment. Measuring instrument: validated questionnaire (PCID-ODT Rios) filled out anonymously and self-administered. RESULTS:Completion rate of 90% (331/367): 58% (n = 191) in favor, 35% (n = 118) undecided, and 7% (n = 22) against. The most important variables were: being in the 1st year (odds ratio [OR], 4.444; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.627-1.700; P = .002); not knowing any donor (OR, 12.048; 95% CI, 55.555-2.57; P = .018); being in favor of organ donation by a relative (OR, 6.25; 95% CI, 14.705-2.666; P < .001); discussing the topic with friends (OR, 2,785; 95% CI, 5.347-1.447; P = .002); not worried about the possible mutilation of the body after donation (OR, 3.039; 95% CI, 5.882-1.569; P = .001); favorable attitude toward ODT of mother (OR, 3.676 (0.881-1.814; P < .001); accepting other treatment options, such as inhumation (OR, 3.436; 95% CI, 7.092-1.655; P = .001); accepting autopsy after death (OR, 2.141; 95% CI, 4.065-1.126; P = .020); and professing the Catholic religion (OR, 3.436; 95% CI, 8.333-1.410; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS:More than 42% of the nursing students were not in favor of organ donation, their attitudes influenced by various psychosocial factors.