Aim: Organ shortage is a rate-limiting factor for transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an educational program targeted to high school students on opinions concerning organ donation.
Methods: Sixteen public high schools in Torino, Italy, were randomized (2001 to 2002) as interventions (n = 8) or controls (n = 8). Intervention was composed of first questionnaire, first lesson (one to two classes; 2 hours, by a trained nephrology fellow); second lesson (all classes together; coordinated by a nephrologist, with patients and trainees); second questionnaire. Control included questionnaires. Statistical analysis compared the opinions in the questionnaires after stratification for age, sex, and type of school.
Results: Fourteen schools completed the program (seven interventions: 937 first and 808 second questionnaires; controls: 739 and 659). Television (82.5%) and newspapers (43.2%) were the main sources of information; knowledge on renal transplantation (grafts feasible per patient, average duration) was low; only 12.2% of the students gave correct answers. The opinions on living donation were highly positive (76.8%) with no difference in control, intervention schools, first and second questionnaires, according to sex, age, or type of school. The opinions on cadaveric transplantation were affected by the educational intervention with a drop in negative answers (from 33.7% to 16%), with an increase in positive (from 31.5% to 42.9%) and in uncertain ones (from 34.8% to 41.1%) among the intervention schools; 98% of the students appreciated the program.
Conclusion: The positive effect on student opinions suggests the need to develop educational approaches as a part of our routine clinical work.