IMPACT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL-BASED TEACHING ON STUDENTS' OPINIONS ON ORGAN DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

132 Most existing data on opinions about organ donation and transplantation have been derived from studying adult populations. This study assesses opinions about organ donation/transplantation among a diverse group of high school students in grades 9-12. PURPOSE: To ascertain knowledge level and opinions about organ donation/transplantation among urban youths and to determine whether either would be affected by an educational intervention. INSTRUMENT: A 31-item questionnaire designed to solicit 1) perceptions about the population supply and demand for organ donors, particularly among ethnic minority groups, 2) medical knowledge of predisposing health states and health consequences of donation/transplantation, 3) personal experience with donation/transplantation, 4) opinions and willingness to donate organs, and 5) demographic information. METHODS: Following human subjects' approval, a baseline survey was administered to 6 separate classes on the same day and again 3 weeks later. An educational session was held immediately before or after the 2nd survey. 72 students completed the baseline and follow-up surveys. 36% of students self-identified themselves as being Caucasian only and 63% as being multiracial or other ethnicity. 36 students received the educational session before the follow-up survey (treatment group) and the other 36 took the follow-up survey before the educational session, with no intervention between surveys (control group). Our hypothesis was that the group receiving the education would have improved knowledge and change of opinion toward organ donation/transplantation to a significantly greater extent than controls. FINDINGS: On the baseline survey, a surprisingly high percentage, 39%, wanted to become organ donors, 46% were undecided, 20% were probably against, and only 8% had decided not to donate. Knowledge scores increased significantly from baseline in the treatment group compared to controls (18% vs 5% at p=0.001). Analysis of changes of opinion revealed that within the treatment group, there was a significant increase in the proportion of respondents who would consider donating an organ (McNemar's test, p<0.04) which was not observed among controls. CONCLUSIONS: The educational session elicited significant improvement in knowledge and change of opinion about organ donation/transplantation. Implications are that education on this subject should begin before adulthood.