Knowledge, attitudes and willingness to donate organs among Medical and Nursing students

Miranda, Luiz Eduardo Correia; Maia, Maria Vitória Rocha Santos Bezerra; Pontes, Marina Gabinio de Araújo; Pascoal, Inaia Mackert; Eufranio, Matheus Stillner; Miranda, Ana Clara Galindo

doi:10.1590/1981-5271v48.2-2023-0214.ING

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE • Rev. bras. educ. med. 48 (2) • 2024 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-5271v48.2-2023-0214.ING copy

Knowledge, attitudes and willingness to donate organs among Medical and Nursing students

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Background:

The increasing demand for organ donors and proficient experts is prompting fresh research endeavors aimed at clarifying societal perceptions and actions related to organ donation. Students from the healthcare area have been a focal point in these studies. Despite their favorable attitudes, a notable gap in knowledge among students has been underscored.

Objective:

To assess the level of knowledge, willingness, and attitudes toward organ donation among medical and nursing students in the city of Recife, Brazil.

Methods:

A cross-sectional investigation was undertaken, involving the examination of questionnaires that were answered by medical and nursing students during their last academic years.

Results:

Between February and December 2022, a total of 218 questionnaires were gathered, of which 208 were included in the final sample. Among the participants, 57.2% identified as male, with an average age of 24 ± 2.7 years. In terms of academic background, 85.1% were enrolled in medical school, while 14.9% were attending nursing school. A notable observation was that only 49% of the students were aware that the diagnosis of brain death does not necessarily require the involvement of a neurologist. Furthermore, a significant proportion of students (63%) were unfamiliar with the entity responsible for initiating discussions with the potential donor’s family. Interestingly, 92.3% of the students had contemplated the prospect of becoming organ donors themselves. If a family member were diagnosed with brain death, a significant majority of students, specifically 83.2%, expressed their willingness to grant consent for organ donation.

Conclusions:

Despite the positive attitudes, this study revealed insufficient knowledge among students, thereby underscoring the need for universities to expand their curricula and establish courses aimed at acquiring knowledge and skills related to brain death cases and actions related to potential donors.

Keywords:
Organ donation; Knowledge; Attitude; Students

Characteristics	Statistics
Number of assessed students	208 students
Sex:
Male	119(57.2%)
Age
Mean ±sd	24.0 ± 2.7 years
Marital status
Single	202 (97.1%)
Not single	6 (2.9%)
HEI
UPE	130(62.5%)
UFPE	78 (37.5%)
Course
Medicine	177(85.1%)
Nursing	31 (14.9%)
Year of the course
Last year	41(19.7%)
Penultimate year	167(80.2%)
Family income
Up to 3 minimum wages	48 (23.1%)
>4-5 minimum wages	39 (18.7%)
> 6-9 minimum wages	43 (20.6%)
10-15 minimum wages	78 (37.5%)
Religion
Catholic	64 (30.7%)
Evangelical Christian	32 (15.4%)
Spiritualist	8 (3.8%)
Atheist	18 (8.6%)
No religion	85 (40.9%)
African-based religion	1 (0.4%)

Questions	Correct answer	n ( %)
1. The diagnosis of brain death must involve two doctors, including a neurologist.	False	102(49.0%)
True
False
I am not sure
2. Which clinical examination is essential for diagnosing brain death?	Apnea test	126 (60.6%)
Anisocoric pupils
Absence of patellar reflex
Apnea test
Presence of hypothermia below 34°C
3. Compulsory notification to the Organ Notification, Procurement and Distribution Center (CNCDO) is mandatory, regardless of the possibility of donating or not organs and/or tissues in the case of:	Suspected brain death	66 (31.7%)
Suspected brain death
Diagnosed brain death
Cases of deep coma regardless of the cause
Notification is not mandatory
4. The person responsible for approaching the potential donor’s family and conducting the family interview to authorize organ donation or not is:	Professionals of the Intra-hospital Organ and Tissue Donation Committee	77 (37.0%)
Doctor who diagnosed brain death
The patient’s attending physician
Head or person responsible for the service where the patient is hospitalized
Professionals from the State Organ Transplant Center
Professionals of the Intra-hospital Organ and Tissue Donation Committee
5. When analyzing the validation criteria for potential donors, attention should be paid to their age, with 65 years being the upper age limit for donors.	False	58 (27.9%)
True
False
I am not sure
6. Once brain death is confirmed, the removal of organs, tissues, cells and parts of the human body can only be carried out through:	Free and informed consent from the family of the deceased	187 (89.9%)
Free and informed consent from the family of the deceased
Declared consent by the potential donor while living
The removal is compulsory by law, requiring no authorization from the family or donor

Questions	n ( %)
1. Have you ever considered the possibility of being an organ donor in the event of brain death?
Yes	192 (92.3%)
No	5 (2.4%)
I don’t have an opinion on the subject	11(5.2%)
2. What do you think about donating tissues or binary organs during your lifetime?
I would not be a donor under any circumstances	4 (1.9%)
I would donate only to a close relative such as parents, children or siblings	89 (42.7%)
I would be a donor to anyone I knew who needed the organ	26 (12.5%)
I would be a donor to anyone who needed the organ, even if I didn’t know them.	89 (42.7%)
3. Have you talked to your family about your attitude towards organ donation?
Yes	141 (67.8%)
No	65 (31.2%)
I do not want to be a donor	2 (0.9%)
4. Does your family know about your decision?
Yes	140 (67.3%)
No	53 (25.5%)
It does not apply	15 (7.2%)
5. If one of your family members were diagnosed with brain death, would you consent to organ donation?
Yes	173 (83.2%)
No	7 (3.3%)
I don’t have an opinion on the subject	28 (13.4%)
6. Do you think that organ donation can cause any harmful effects/complications in living donors?
Yes	108 (51.9%)
No	73 (35.1%)
I don’t have an opinion on the subject	27 (13.0%)
7. Do you think that organ donation can bring any material or emotional benefit to the donor’s family?
Yes	179 (86.1%)
No	29 (13.9%)
8. Access to information about the organ donation process during university education.
Theoretical class during the course	124 (59.6%)
Specialty conferences	14 (6.7%)
Extracurricular courses	21 (10.1%)
I did not receive any training regarding organ donation	49 (23.5%)

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[1] Chief Editor: Rosiane Viana Zuza Diniz. Associate Editor: Antonio Menezes Junior