Looking for New Alternatives: What Nursing Students of Lodz's Medical University in Poland Think About the Use of Organs Coming From Animals?

Background. The shortage of organs has made it necessary to look for new alternatives as xenotransplantation. The objective of this study was to analyze the attitudes of Polish nursing students toward organ donation of nonhuman origin, and to determine the factors that affect them. Methods. Year 2011-2012. Nursing students of the University of Poland. Sampling points in 5 compulsory-attendance nursing courses with a completion rate of fulfillment of 80%. Validated questionnaire (PCID-XenoTx Rios) filled out anonymously and self-administered. Results. The completion rate was 81% (325/402): 55% in favor (n = 179), 7% (n = 24) against, and 38% (n = 122) do not know. There were significant associations between: 1) the academic year, with 1st-year students presenting the more favorable attitude than those in the 3rd year (68% vs 41%; P = .039); 2) discuss the topic with friends (59% vs 41%; P = .043); 3) being in favor of cadaver organ donation (64% vs 41%; P < .001); and 4) consider the option of needing a transplant in the future (63%) compared with those who do not consider this option (40%; P = .040). In multivariate analysis, the relationship with being in favor of cadaver organ donation remained (odds ratio, 2.577; 95% confidence interval, 4.081-1.631; P < .001). Conclusions. Almost one-half of the nursing students had an unfavorable attitude toward xenotransplantation.