Nursing Students' Knowledge About Organ Donation and Transplantation: A Spanish Multicenter Study

Abstract

Health care professionals and the information that they provide to the public on organ donation and transplantation (ODT) influence attitudes toward this option.

Objective: The objective was to analyze the knowledge of university nursing students at Spanish universities toward ODT and the factors affecting it.

Methods and design: The methods and design included a multicenter, sociologic, and observational study including university nursing diploma students in a complete academic year.

Participants: A sample of 10,566 students was selected stratified by geographic area and year.

Instrument: A validated questionnaire of knowledge toward ODT (PCID-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% believed that their knowledge was sparse. Of the students, 96% believed that organ needs are not covered and 79% that they 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 be interesting. The following variables were associated with having a more adequate knowledge: gender (62% men vs 57% women; P < .001); academic year (P < .001); knowing a donor (P < .001); knowing a transplant patient (P < .001); believing the possibility of needing a transplant oneself in the future (P < .001); attitude toward deceased donation (P < .001); and interest in receiving an informative talk about ODT (P < .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.