Fadil Naim, Ahmed Al-Bahbhani, Baker Abu Jarad, Ahmed Al-Tayan and Khamis El-Essi
Background: This study aimed to explore the attitudes and knowledge of university students in Gaza to organ donation.
Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data including socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge level and attitudes of participants toward organ donation and factors that affect personal beliefs of the participants on donation. The questionnaire was distributed using the convenience method to 489 (179 males, 310 females) students at the Islamic University of Gaza. The data were analyzed in a descriptive fashion using SPSS program.
Results: The study showed that 97.5% of participants were acquainted with the term “organ donation”. Those participants were eligible and were asked to complete the questionnaire. Less than half of participants chose multimedia as the main source of information regarding organ donation and more than half of respondents (56%) said that, “saving lives” was the most important reason for organ donation. One fifth of participants (22%) reported that they completely reject donating any of their organs during their lifetimes, whereas more than one fourth of them (27%) reported that they refuse organ donation even after death. (54%) of students denied any knowledge about local or international legislation regulating organ donation.
Conclusion: The results of the study confirm the presence of good level of knowledge regarding organ donation among participants, which was reflected in their positive attitudes towards organ donation. However, one of the main concerns to promote organ donation was the fear of surgery and its complications. Additionally, legislative, educational and health agencies are recommended to exert more efforts through the media and public campaigns tackling misconcepts and lack of information regarding organ donation. Finally, ministry of health needs to take steps to alleviate fears and mistrust from the public towards the health care system.
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