title: Do future journalists have a favorable attitude toward deceased donation?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The information provided by future journalists is fundamental for promoting healthcare and their attitude toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) could affect public opinion. The objective of this study was to analyze the attitude of students of journalism toward ODT and the factors affecting this attitude.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects of this study were students doing a degree in journalism in 2005-2006 (N = 129). A self-administered questionnaire about ODT was completed anonymously. For statistical analysis we used Student t test and the χ(2) test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The questionnaire completion rate was 98% (n = 126). Most students (78%; n = 98) would be willing to donate their organs, although 22% (n = 28) would not. Attitude was more favourable among those respondents who knew a transplant recipient (100% vs 71%; P = .002), had a favourable attitude toward donating a family member's organs (P = .000), and had discussed ODT within the family (P = .000). Those who had a positive attitude toward living donation had a more favourable attitude toward deceased ODT (P = .000 for kidney and P = .003 for liver). Most respondents (56%; n = 70) believed that the general information they received about ODT was limited and 9% (n = 11) believed that it was good. Most (83%; n = 104) had never received a talk about the subject, although 90% (n = 113) believed that receiving one would be very interesting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attitude toward ODT is favorable in a high percentage of students of journalism. This is positive if we want these professionals to inform society about the subject. They should be provided with clear and concise information.
authors.affiliation: International Collaborative Donor Project, and Regional Transplant Center, Consejería de Sanidad y Consumo de la Región de Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martínez-Alarcón
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Navas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramis
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Febrero
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parrilla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020452:Journalism; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D000078329:Workforce