Attitude Toward Organ Donation Related to Personal Preferences for the Final Disposition of the Dead Body in Nursing Students in Southeast Spain

Abstract

Introduction: In organ donation and transplantation (ODT) and in nursing students, it is important to know the preferences about the final destination of the body once deceased. Whether these future professionals are afraid of this issue could influence their attitude toward ODT and future donation rates.

Objective: To analyze the attitude of nursing students toward cremation, burial, and autopsy and to determine the factors affecting this attitude.

Methods: A sociologic, interdisciplinary, multicenter, and observational study included nursing diploma students (n = 750) from 2010 to 2011 at 3 universities in the southeast of Spain. A validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously.

Results: Questionnaire completion rate was 92% (n = 687), with 71% (n = 486) of students accepting cremation as a body treatment after death. Those who were not worried about the possible mutilation of the body after donation (P < .05) and those who were in favor of deceased donation (P < .001) had a greater degree of acceptance. Of the students, 43% (n = 278) would accept burial of their body, which was related with being in the second year (P < .05) of study. Finally, 86% (n = 586) of students would accept an autopsy being carried out, if necessary, and this was related with the attitude toward ODT (P = .004).

Conclusions: A high percentage of nursing students would accept an autopsy being carried out. This degree of acceptance was related with a favorable attitude toward organ donation. The appropriate training of future nurses in ODT process will optimize their promotion.