A multicenter study of the attitude of secondary school teachers toward solid organ donation and transplantation in the southeast of Spain.
BACKGROUND
Teachers play a fundamental role in providing information to adolescents and could influence their attitudes.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the attitude of teachers toward organ donation and the concept of brain death (BD); the psychosocial variables related to attitude; and the information provided to pupils.


METHODS
A multicenter study was carried out using a random sample of secondary school teaching staff from 10 schools (n = 327) in the southeast of Spain. Attitude toward organ donation was assessed using a validated questionnaire that was self-administered and completed anonymously.


RESULTS
The questionnaire completion rate was 88% (n = 288), with 75% (n = 215) in favor of organ donation, 23% had doubts, and 2% were not in favor. Regarding the knowledge of BD, 62% (n = 179) accepted that this meant a person's death. The variables associated with a more favorable attitude included conversations with family and friends (p < 0.05); a partner's favorable opinion (OR 3.194); knowledge of the concept of BD (p = 0.006); being a blood donor (OR 8.264); and a favorable attitude toward autopsy (OR 4.716). Teachers provided information about organ donation to pupils in 16% of cases (n = 47).


CONCLUSIONS
Seventy-five percent of teachers are in favor of organ donation. Their attitude is affected by psychosocial factors.
Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante, Murcia, Spain; Regional Transplant Center, Consejería de Sanidad, Servicio Murciano de Salud, Murcia, Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Servicio Murciano de Salud, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
Beatriz
B
Febrero
Antonio
A
Ríos
Ana
A
López-Navas
Laura
L
Martínez-Alarcón
Javier
J
Almela
Álvaro
Á
Sánchez
Jose
J
Sánchez
Juan José
JJ
Parrilla
Pablo
P
Ramírez
Pascual
P
Parrilla
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001926:Brain Death; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D012574:Schools; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D055815:Young Adult
attitude; organ donation; secondary school; solid organ; teachers