title: Gift of life or cultural taboo: effects of an educational pamphlet on young adults' knowledge and attitudes regarding organ donation.
abstract: As a result of a shortage of organs that can be used for transplantation in South Africa, as well as a lack of awareness and cultural taboos around organ donation, many individuals do not receive the organs they need and are sent home to die, raising questions about distributive justice and the right to life. The study therefore investigated whether an educational pamphlet might change perceptions of young adults regarding organ donation. A questionnaire comprising a knowledge scale, an attitudinal scale, and open-ended questions was administered to 18 young adults from Johannesburg via individual interviews before and after providing them with an educational brochure on organ donation. Findings suggested that the brochure changed participants' knowledge and attitudes regarding organ donation. The study enhances understanding of factors influencing organ donation and highlights the role of social workers in this regard.
authors: Department of Social Work, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Nokuthula
authors: N
authors: Buthelezi
authors: Eleanor
authors: E
authors: Ross
mesh_terms: D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008297:Male; D013019:South Africa; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D055815:Young Adult