Racial and ethnic differences in students' attitudes and behavior toward organ donation

Abstract

Donor authorizations tend to be especially low among African Americans and other minority and ethnic groups. This study assessed and compared the beliefs, attitudes, and rates of participation regarding organ donation among a sample of racially and ethnically mixed university students. A 64-item survey questionnaire regarding organ/tissue donation issues was administered to 683 undergraduate students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds at a state-assisted university in the Midwest. The findings from the study indicated that African-American students differ significantly from white students in their attitudes and beliefs toward organ donation, while Asian-American, Hispanic, and international students were similar to white students in their attitudes and beliefs regarding organ donation. However, a greater percentage of African-American students have granted permission for organ donation compared to African Americans in the general population.