A Multicentre and stratified study of the attitude of medical students towards organ donation in Spain. Issue 4 (19th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ríos, A.; López-Navas, A.; López-López, A.; Gómez, F.J.; Iriarte, J.; Herruzo, R.; Blanco, G.; Llorca, F.J.; Asunsolo, A.; Sánchez, P.; Gutiérrez, P.R.; Fernández, A.; de Jesús, M.T.; Martínez Alarcón, L.; Lana, A.; Fuentes, L.; Hernández, J.R.; Virseda, J.; Yelamos, J.; Bondía, J.A.; Hernández, A.M.; Ayala, M.A.; Ramírez, P.; Parrilla, P.
• Is Part Of: Ethnicity & health. Volume 24:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 443
• Page End: 461
• Publication Date: 2019-05-19
• Subjects: Attitude -- medical students -- organ donation -- Spain -- multicentre -- stratified study; Ethnic groups -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Ethnic groups -- Medical care -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Ethnic Groups -- periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- periodicals; Social Sciences -- periodicals; 362.1089
• DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2017.1346183
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-7858

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Medical students represent a new generation of medical thought, and if they have a favourable attitude towards organ donation this will greatly encourage its promotion. Objective: To analyse the attitude of medical students in Spanish universities towards the donation of their own organs and to determine the factors affecting this attitude. Material and Methods: Type of study: A sociological, interdisciplinary, multicentre, and observational study in Spain. Study population: Students studying a degree in medicine enrolled in Spain ( n = 34, 000). Sample size: A sample of 9598 students (confidence of 99% and precision of ±1%), stratified by geographical area and academic year. Instrument of measurement: A validated questionnaire of attitude towards organ donation and transplantation (PCID-DTO RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. Results: The questionnaire completion rate was 95.7% ( n = 9.275). 80% were in favour of donation, 2% against and 18% were undecided. The following main variables were related to a favourable attitude: being of the female sex (Odds Ratio = 1.739); being in the sixth year of the degree (OR = 2.506); knowing a donor (OR = 1.346); having spoken about the subject with one's family (OR = 2.132) and friends (OR = 1.333); having a family circle that is in favour, more specifically, having a father (OR = 1.841), mother (OR = 2.538) or partner in favour (OR = 2.192); being a blood donor (OR = 2.824); acceptance of the mutilation of the body if it were necessary (OR = 2.958); and being an atheist or an agnostic (OR = 1.766). Conclusions: Spanish medical students generally have a favourable attitude towards organ donation, although 20% are not in favour.