Comparison of Young Age Group’s Thoughts and Knowledge Levels on Organ Donation in Terms of Education Given

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the thoughts and knowledge levels of high school students on organ donation, and also to examine whether a significant difference has occurred in their thoughts and knowledge levels in terms of the training given to them. MATERIAL and METHODS: The research was applied to the 9th grade students in a vocational high school for girls serving in the province of Ankara. 113 students participated in the study. Data was collected using the survey method. A pre-test was applied to the students first, a 60-minute training was given afterwards, and then a final test was applied to them. SPSS 22.0 program was used in evaluation of the data. RESULTS: It was found that, there was a statistically significant difference between before and after training in all questions asked towards organ donation, and that lack of knowledge of the students was considerably eliminated. CONCLUSION: Even though there are many patients waiting for organ transplantation, deficiencies encountered in obtaining organs bring into agenda the organ donation. In this context, it is considered that inserting subjects on this issue into the curricula from the beginning of education process, and raising awareness through similar social organizations are important.