Examination of College Students’ Attitudes, Beliefs, or Intentions to Becoming An Organ Donor

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Despite increased awareness and visible organ donation campaigns, it is estimated in the United States that every ten minutes someone is added to the national transplant list and, on average, twenty-two people die while waiting for an organ transplant.

Design: This study, conducted in the United States, utilized an anonymous, online organ donor survey to gather preliminary qualitative and quantitative data about college students’ attitudes, beliefs, or intentions towards becoming an organ donor.

Aim: To examine college students’ attitudes, beliefs, or intentions towards becoming an organ donor.

Method: The study population included a convenience sample of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the Spring 2016 semester at a university in a southern state of the United States. Students completed an anonymous SurveyMonkey 22 item survey that included items on demographics, attitudes, beliefs, and intentions to become an organ donor.

Results: Eighty-seven percent of 968 students surveyed stated they were willing to be an organ donor; however, only 83% of the students surveyed had placed the organ donor symbol on their driver's license. A large majority of students (92%) stated one factor positively affecting willingness to donate was knowing it could save someone's life. In contrast, 30% of students stated they did not trust the medical system when they were asked about particular beliefs that made them less likely to donate.

Conclusion: Based on the survey results, there remains some misunderstanding about organ and tissue donation. Educational awareness remains a vital component of increasing public awareness.