AUTHOR=Choi YoungRok , Lee Sanghoon , Lee Yeonhee , Cho Min Hyun , Ihn Kyong , Yoon Kyung Chul , Kang Ji-Man , Kim Seong Heon , Kang Hee Gyung , Yi Nam-Joon 

TITLE=Changes in Awareness Toward Minor’s Organ Donation Through Structured Information; Survey

JOURNAL=Transplant International

VOLUME=Volume 36 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/transplant-international/articles/10.3389/ti.2023.10795

DOI=10.3389/ti.2023.10795

ISSN=1432-2277

ABSTRACT=This study aimed to investigate awareness of living donor transplantation of livers and kidneys from minors for educated people including medical professionals and minors in Korea. A questionnaire survey composed of 27 questions about the initial awareness of living organ donation was used and questions to elicit the uncertainty of living donors and recipients about the outcomes to evaluate changes in their attitude toward donations by minors. The respondents were categorized as minors, adults affiliated with non-medical jobs (Non-Meds), and adults affiliated with medical jobs (Meds). The rates of awareness of living organ donation were significantly different; minors with 86.2%, non-Meds with 82.0%, and Meds with 98.7% (p<0.000). Only 41.4% of Minors and 32.0% of Non-Meds were aware of minors’ organ donation, whereas 70.3% of Meds were aware (p<0.001). Minors’ response to whether they will agree to organ donation was the same before and after being given the supplementary information (51.7% to 48.3%, p=0.745), and Meds’ response of opposition to minors’ organ donation was the same before and after (54.4% to 57.7%, p=0.311). However, the rate of opposition in Non-Meds significantly increased (32.4% to 46.7%) after the survey (p=0.009). The study found that non-medical adults and minors were not well informed about living solid organ donations and the possible grave outcomes. Education with structured information had the potential to influence adults’ attitudes toward minors' organ donation. The lack of public attention to proper education on organ transplantation and donation should be addressed.