Attitudes towards euthanasia among final-year Khartoum University medical students.
To investigate the attitudes of final-year medical students at Khartoum University towards euthanasia an anonymous questionnaire was answered by 141 students. Most were familiar with the concept of euthanasia. The majority, 108 (76.6%) opposed euthanasia and their reasons included religious beliefs, belief that euthanasia was unethical and fear of misuse. The supporters of euthanasia (23.4%) stated reasons such as preventing the suffering of patients and respecting their autonomy and dignity. More students who described themselves as strongly religious were opponents of euthanasia (83/87, 95.4%) than those who were moderately religious (25/54, 46.3%).
Ahmed
A M
AM
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bahr Elghazal, Khartoum, Sudan. awad_sd@hotmail.com
Kheir
M M
MM
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000458:organization & administration; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D013397:Sudan; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology