The Knowledge and Attitudes of Undergraduate Medical Students Towards Organ Donation at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Well-informed medical students and doctors can increase awareness of organ donation to overcome the shortage of organ donors. A South African study explored transplant-related knowledge of medical students in 2011, but sparse information is available on the current knowledge and attitudes of medical students in this regard. The aim of this study was to establish the current level of knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate students towards organ donation at the University of the Free State (UFS), South Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A link to an anonymous electronic questionnaire was emailed to all registered undergraduate medical students. RESULTS: Out of 812 students, 190 participated (response rate 23.4%). For the knowledge test regarding organ donation, students obtained a median score of 67.5%. In terms of attitudes, 63.7% (n = 121) of the participants indicated the wish to donate their organs upon death. Although 79.5% of the participants indicated not being registered as donors, almost half (n = 94; 49.5%) indicated being more likely to register as organ donors after participation in the study. The majority (n = 166; 87.4%) of the participants wanted transplant-related topics to be included in undergraduate medical education. CONCLUSION: The participants expressed uncertainty regarding key aspects of the organ donation process, which resonated with the findings of a previous South African study. Participants had an overwhelmingly positive attitude towards organ donation. Further research is required to explore the reasons for reluctance to become organ donors. Earlier introduction of transplant-related education into the undergraduate medical program at the UFS is recommended.