The Faculty of Theology Students' Attitudes, Knowledge Levels and Behaviours on Organ Donation and Xenotransplantation

INTRODUCTION: It is known that people's religious beliefs affect the interest in organ donation positively or negatively. This study aimed to evaluate the education level, thinking and behavior styles of the students of the Faculty of Theology, who will be the religious services workers of the future, on organ transplantation, organ donation and xenotransplantation (XTx).
METHODS: Data were obtained by conducting a survey from quantitative research methods in order to reveal their knowledge, at-titudes and thoughts on organ donation and XTx on 282 Theology Faculty students between 2020 June 2021 December.
RESULTS: A total of 278 students answered the questions and about half of them stated that they would consider organ donation. About 1/3 of the participants who thought negatively about organ donation, but probably 3/4 of them, did so for religious reasons. Less than 9% of the participants had an information on XTx. In general, questions about XTx revealed that students had extremely inadequate knowledge about it. According to the participants, the society was uninterested and ignorant about XTx. Only 9% of the students stated that they would prefer XTx if they had to.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It would be very useful in their hands to inform the public about the acceptance of therapies using animal or trans-genic components. However, it is not clear whether the general public accepts therapy with animal organs. Measures to increase the knowledge level of theology faculty students, who will guide the society in the future on organ donation/transplantation and XTx, should be taken in advance.