Children's opinions about organ donation: A first step to assent?

Abstract

Background: Parents have to decide about organ donation after the death of their child. Although most parents probably would like to respect their child's intention parents often are not aware of their child's wishes. This requires insight into children's opinions about donation. Methods: An internet survey that investigated whether Dutch children in the age range of 12 through 15 years had heard about organ donatio what their opinions were on donation and whether the topic had been discussed at home. Questionnaire response rate 38. Results: Around 99 of 2016 responders had heard about organ donation and about the possibility of becoming a dono 75 preferred to decide for themselves about donatio 43 had discussed organ donation more than once at hom 66 were willing to donate. The willingness to donate was positively associated with age and socio-economic status. Conclusion: This survey indicates that these children at 12 through 15 years of age are capable and willing to think about organ donation. Thought should be given about how to raise awareness and how to enable parents and children to develop some sort of health literacy concerning the concept of organ donation. Children and their parents should be given adequate opportunities to receive appropriate informatio suited to their psychological and moral developmental status. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.