ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION IN GEORGIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/jecm.2026.01.04Keywords:
students' knowledge, attitudes, organ transplantation, GeorgiaAbstract
Organ transplantation is one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine, which allows patients with serious illnesses to save and prolong their lives. International experience shows that the effectiveness of this process depends significantly not only on the legislative framework, but also on professional training, legal awareness and constant awareness of the population. On November 1, 2023, the Parliament of Georgia adopted a new law, which replaced the “Law of Georgia on Human Organ Transplantation” in force in 2000.
The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of students, as active citizens, towards organ transplantation after the adoption of the new legislation in Georgia. It is noteworthy that no similar study has been conducted specifically in this context. Students' attitudes were assessed using a specially developed anonymous questionnaire.
The results reveal a significant difference between a positive attitude towards organ transplantation (87.7%) and awareness of this issue. Although 80% of respondents correctly defined the concept of donation, 64.6% do not have information about the legal requirements for living donation, and only 26.2% are aware of the fact that organ donation for money is a criminal offense. It is also interesting that only 24.6% of respondents were aware of the current legislation regulating the issue of transplantation. However, 90.8% of participants recognized the importance of state regulation.
The study showed that despite positive attitudes, students' attitudes are based on moral concepts rather than knowledge. The authors recommend coordinated state educational campaigns to establish a culture of donation based on informed and responsible decisions.
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