From where do our children receive information about organ donation and transplantation?
BACKGROUND
The information provided about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) affects whether it is viewed favorably or unfavorably.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the means by which each source of information about ODT influenced attitudes of children.


METHODS
Ten secondary schools from the south-east of Spain were stratified geographically. We performed a random selection of pupils from the first 4 years of compulsory secondary range, education (age 11-15 years). A validated self-administered questionnaire about attitudes toward ODT was completed anonymously.


RESULTS
The adolescents had received information about ODT through several sources. The most frequent sources were television (86%), films (59%), and magazines (56%). Positive information from information sources was associated with more favorable attitudes toward ODT (P<.05); those who received negative information had more unfavorable attitudes (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Most information about ODT that reaches our children is through audiovisual means. Attitudes were more favorable among adolescents who have received positive information through the mass media, with more negative attitudes among those who received negative information.
Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain. ARZRIOS@teleline.es
A
A
Ríos
B
B
Febrero
A
A
López-Navas
L
L
Martínez-Alarcón
J
J
Sánchez
D
D
Guzmán
P
P
Ramírez
P
P
Parrilla
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D014180:Transplantation