title: Knowledge of the Concept of Encephalic Death: Is This an Obstacle in the Acceptance of Donation and Transplantation of Organs Among Students of Nursing at the Medical University of Warsaw in Poland?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The knowledge and acceptance of the concept of brain death among future health professionals is essential. The objective of this study was to analyze the knowledge of the concept of brain death among nursing students at the Medical University of Warsaw and determine the factors that affect it.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic year 2011-2012, nursing students of the University of Poland. Sampling points in 5 compulsory-attendance nursing courses with a completion rate >80%. Validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO Rios), anonymous and self-administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The completion rate was 96% (793/828); 71% (n = 561) knew the concept of brain death, 22% (n = 178) did not know it, and 7% (n = 54) did not know that it implies the death of the patient. Variables related to the correct knowledge: 1) to be studying in 4th year compared with 1st year (85% vs 60%; P ≤ .001); 2) discuss the subject with family (76% vs 61%; P ≤ .001); 3) discuss with friends (73% vs 63%; P = .009); and 4) having a favorable attitude toward organ donation (74% vs 65%; P = .011). In the multivariate analysis, the variables that remained independent were studying in 4th year (odds ratio [OR], 3.809; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.006-5.823; P ≤ .001) and discussed with family concerning donation and transplantation (OR, 1.718; 95% CI, 1.241-2.381; P ≤ .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One-third of the nursing students were unfamiliar with the concept of brain death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Murcia, Spain; International Collaborative Donor Project ("Projecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante"), Murcia, Spain; Hospital General Universitario Reina Sofia, Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: marmikla@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mikla
authors.affiliation: International Collaborative Donor Project ("Projecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante"), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, University of Murcia, Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Clinical Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain; Regional Transplant Center, Department of Health and Consumer Affairs in the Region of Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rios
authors.affiliation: International Collaborative Donor Project ("Projecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante"), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, University of Murcia, Spain; Department of Psychology, Catholic University San Antonio, UCAM, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopez-Navas
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gotlib
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing and Midwifery, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kilanska
authors.affiliation: International Collaborative Donor Project ("Projecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante"), Murcia, Spain; Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, University of Murcia, Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Clinical Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain; Regional Transplant Center, Department of Health and Consumer Affairs in the Region of Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martinez-Alarcón
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramis
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, University of Murcia, Spain; Transplant Unit, Surgery Service, IMIB-Clinical Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain; Regional Transplant Center, Department of Health and Consumer Affairs in the Region of Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lopez Montesinos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001926:Brain Death; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D011044:Poland; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement