Introduction: Organ transplantation is the best and only method of treatment for patients with terminal organ failure. However, the number of donors is still insufficient. It is thus advisable to take action to eliminate the stereotypes concerning transplantation. The aim of the study was to get to know the opinions of the students of higher education institutions in Szczecin on the topic of organ donation and social barriers in transplantology.
Materials and methods: The research was conducted in 2010–2013 and was comprised of 1,400 students (864 women – 61.7% and 536 men – 38.3%). The average age of the participants was 21.6 years. The Questionnaire about Organ Donation and Transplantation was used as a research tool.
Results: The students generally approve of transplantology and most of them would like to be an organ donor (almost 84%). Medical university students more frequently declare having a knowledge of transplantology (73%), express their willingness to donate organs (87%) and accept xenotransplantation (74%). Female students declare their intention to donate organs more often than male students (68% vs 57% in males) and to receive an organ donation (66% vs 56% in males).
Conclusions: There was a diverse degree of acceptance of organ donation depending on the respondents’ sex and subject of study. Medical students demonstrated the highest degree of understanding of the issue. The likelihood of acceptance changed depending on the respondent’s sex, women have a more understanding approach to the issue of transplantation and declare a willingness to become a donor more frequently than men. The majority of students wanted to donate their organs after death, especially to their own family members. Values derived from their background and the acceptance of transplantation by the mother are the most significant factors affecting one’s willingness to donate organs. Television is the main source of information about transplantation. Thus it is particularly important to conduct campaigns promoting transplantation in the media.
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