Importance of Early Worldwide Organ Donation Education
Main Article Content
Abstract
A global organ shortage exists, and introducing young people to the concept of organ donation early can have a significant influence in promoting awareness among their family and friends. Early awareness and understanding of organ donation and transplantation offer adolescents the opportunity to make their own important life choice, especially when they are confronted with the question of being an organ donor when they apply for their driver's license in most industrialized nations.
Studies from around the world have shown that structured organ donation classes in high school curricula build awareness, dispel myths, shape informed attitudes and knowledge, facilitate family discussions, increase organ donation registration, and foster lifelong advocacy. 1-11 Researchers evaluated the feasibility of presentations on organ donation and transplantation addressed to elementary and high school students from Canada and Argentina.1 Findings from this pilot study showed that young students showed great interest in the topic and observed that children as young as 10 years old understood the basic concepts about organ donation and transplantation. In several studies, researchers found that participants with a higher degree of accurate knowledge showed greater willingness to donate their organs.12-15
The importance of targeting early organ donation classes to adolescents lies in the fact that it is easier to form or change young people's attitudes toward donation than it is for adults, by influencing them during their formative years before strong biases against donation form. Teenagers represent the future of the community and are often regarded as change-makers within families, with their opinions having a direct impact on their family and friends.5,15 It is essential to adapt future organ educational programs to the age and cultural characteristics of different societies that emphasize family discussion.1,8
Article Details
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References
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