THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND BEHAVIORS REGARDING ORGAN DONATION AMONG INDIVIDUALS AGED OVER 60

HAMIT SIRRI KETEN¹ , HUSEYIN UCER² , DERYA KETEN³ , OGUZ ISIK² , FATIS YILDIRIM²

¹ Department of Family Medicine, Kurtul Family Health Center, Kahramanmaras, Turkey - ² Department of Family Medicine, Medical Faculty, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey - ³ Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Necip Fazil City Hospital Kahramanmaras, Turkey

Introduction: Organ transplantation is the most important treatment method to increase the survival and life quality of people suffering from organ failure. The elderly people constitute an important group who may donate their organs particularly in developed countries, due to their increased proportion in population. In this study, we aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of individuals aged over 60 about organ donation.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted in Kahramanmaras, a province in the southern Turkey. A total of 124 individuals aged over 60, applying to policlinics of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Faculty of Medicine between 01.10.2014- 31.12.2014, were enrolled in the study. A survey on sociodemographic characteristics, and the knowledge, attitude and behaviors about organ donation was performed to all participants.

Results: Ninety three (75%) of the participants were male, while 31 (25%) were female. The mean age was 69.42±6.11 (min=60, max=87). Thirty patients (24.2%) stated that they were sufficiently knowledgeable about organ donation and transplantation. Fourteen patients (11.3%) noted they knew where to apply for organ donation while 110 patients (88.7%) noted they did not. Only 1 (0.8%) patient had applied for organ donation and had an organ donor card while 123 patients (99.2%) did not. Thirty seven (29.8%) participants remarked that they desired to donate their organs.

Conclusions: We revealed that individuals over age of 60 lacked information regarding organ donation. Furthermore, it was observed that the willing to donate organs or to apply for this purpose was low among participants.