Comparison of attitude of nurses and nursing students toward euthanasia. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khatony, Alireza; Fallahi, Masoud; Rezaei, Mansour; Mahdavikian, Somayeh
• Is Part Of: Nursing ethics. Volume 29:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 208
• Page End: 216
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Attitude -- euthanasia -- nurse -- nursing student; Nursing ethics -- Periodicals; 174.2907305
• DOI: 10.1177/0969733021999751
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-7330

Abstract

Background: Euthanasia is a controversial issue in many countries. However, there is little evidence about attitudes of nurses and nursing students toward euthanasia. Research aims: The present study aimed to compare nurses and nursing students' attitudes toward euthanasia. Research design: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Participants and research context: Using census sampling, 390 nurses and 125 nursing students were enrolled in this study. Methods: Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire and Euthanasia Attitude Scale that included 20 items that sought to record participants' level of agreement with euthanasia based on a Likert-type scale. Ethical considerations: Objectives of the study were stated for all samples, and emphasized the confidentiality of their specifics and responses, and informed written consent was obtained from all participants. Findings: The mean score of nurses and nursing students' attitudes about euthanasia was 3.14 ± 0.26 and 3.22 ± 0.24 out of 5, respectively. The majority of nurses ( n = 250, 65.78%) and nursing students ( n = 97, 80.83%) had a positive attitude toward euthanasia. There was a significant statistical difference between the attitudes of nurses and nursing students to euthanasia ( p = .005). Discussion: The results indicated that the majority of students and nurses had a positive attitude regarding euthanasia. Conclusion: It was recommended to conduct more studies on euthanasia in Iran.