Awareness and attitude about heart transplantation among undergraduate nursing students: An institution-based survey in India

Abstract

Introduction: Heart transplantation is the currently available and established lifesaving therapy for the end stage heart failure. Considering the paucity of data about nurses' awareness and attitude about heart transplantation, this survey was undertaken. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness and attitude regarding heart transplantation among undergraduate nursing students. A questionnaire based cross sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate nursing students studying in an institute of national importance in India. Materials and Methods: A prevalidated questionnaire was administered among 147 randomly selected participants who were willing to participate in the study. Results: All the students (100%) were aware about organ donation, but majority (77.5%) informed that their source of information on this topic is by Internet/media. Around 18.4% of participants had already pledged permission for organ donation after death and 70.8% were willing to donate the organ after death. Conclusion: Results showed the gap existence and need of addressing this among undergraduate nursing students regarding organ donation and heart transplantation.

Keywords

• heart transplantation
• nursing education
• organ donation
• transplantation