Nursing students' knowledge about organ donation and transplantation : a Spanish multicenter study

Abstract

Healthcare professionals and the information that they provide to the public on organ donation and transplantation (ODT) influence attitudes toward this option. Objective: to analyze the knowledge of university nursing students at Spanish universities toward ODT and the factors affecting it. METHODS AND DESIGN: A multicenter, sociological and observational study including university nursing diploma students in a complete academic year. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 10,566 students was selected stratified by geographical area and year. Instrument: a validated questionnaire of knowledge toward ODT (PCDI-DTO RIOS), self-administered and completed anonymously. RESULTS: Questionnaire completion rate: 85% (n=9001). Only 18% (n=1580) believed that their knowledge about ODT was good, 40% (n=3578) believed that the information they had was normal and 39% that their knowledge was sparse. Of the students, 96% believed that organ needs are not covered and 79% that one might need a transplant in the future. Only 39% (n=3493) had attended a talk about ODT. Furthermore, 83% (n=7435) believed that attending a talk, would it be interesting. The following variables were associated with having a more adequate knowledge: gender (62% men vs. 57% women; P<0.001); academic year (P<0.001); knowing a donor (P<0.001); knowing a transplant patient (P<0.001); believing the possibility of needing a transplant oneself in the future (P<0.001) attitude toward deceased donation (P<0.001); interest in receiving an informative talk about ODT (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Only 18% of nursing students in Spain believed that their knowledge about ODT was adequate. These results must be considered for possible training plans for these future professionals.