Tissue and organ donation: The relationship between attitude structure and intention to donate

Izvorni znanstveni rad Primljeno: 5. 2. 2002.This study explored the attitudes and intention of donor behaviour.The attitudes and intentions towards organ and tissue donations were compared, and medical personnel and community members were compared regarding these variables.The hypothesis of multidimensionality of attitudes towards tissue donation was tested.Both medical personnel and community members in this study expressed highly positive attitudes towards tissue and organ donation.However, medical personnel held less positive attitudes towards organ donation compared to the community sample.Attitude structure towards tissue and organ donation proved to be multidimensional.There were significant connections between attitudes towards tissue and organ donation.Moreover, all of the measures of intention were significantly intercorrelated implying that there are some general factors that underlie all donor-related variables.Attitudes were good predictors of intention and intention towards tissue donation was best explained using the moral component of attitudes, while intention towards organ donation was best explained by the negative aspects of donation.The medical personnel's intention to enquire about donation was strongly influenced by their view that it is the right thing to do.