The Attitude of York University Students With Regard To Medical Transplant and Organ Donation - Research Paper Example

THE ATTITUDE AND ACTION OF YORK WITH REGARD TO MEDICAL TRANSPLANT AND ORGAN DONATION (A CASE STUDY OF YORK INSTRUCTOR: COURSE: DATE: DECLARATION This is my original work and has not been presented for the award of Degree in any other university. Name: Signed: Reg No: Date: This research project has been submitted for examination with my approval as the University supervisor. Supervisor: Signed: Date: DEDICATION This research is dedicated to my beloved parents for their love and great assistance. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ACRONYMS YU – York University SPSS - The statistical package for social science OT- Organ Transplant Abstract This project was undertaken to investigate how students in York University perceive medical transplants and organ donations. This research was driven by five objectives namely: to establish how students in York University (YU) perceive organ transplants (OT); to investigate the incidence of OT in the United States of America; to establish the attitude of students in YU towards medical transplants and organ donations; to identify the action of YU towards OT; and to identify countermeasures that can be put in place so that students in YU embrace and perceive OT positively. Chapter one of the study included the background of the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, study objectives, research questions, significance of the study, limitations of the study, scope of the study, assumption of study and definition of terms. Chapter two of the study offers an outline of medical transplants and organ donations. These ideas are going to introduce key concepts and understandings that link to the purpose and field of research. Chapter three describes the research design that provides information regarding the population of the study, sample size and sampling procedure, instrumentation, data collection and data analysis techniques. Chapter four deals with data presentation and analysis; after data collection, the data was recorded. This data was interpreted and analyzed in order to draw varied conclusions from it, and gather meaningful information. Chapter five illustrates the summary of findings based on the analysis and interpretation of the data gathered. Keywords: organ transplant, organ donation CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of The Study Organ transplantation refers to the surgical removal of one or many organs from one person (the donor) to place it into the body of another person (the recipient) commonly for medical reasons. In most cases, the donated organs are derived from dead people, but in some times, these organs can be removed from living beings (Ballard, 2009). Commonly transplanted organs are the liver, kidney, pancreas, intestines, heart, liver and lungs. Commonly transplanted tissues include the middle ear, skin, bone, heart valves, tendons, ligaments, stem cells, blood, platelets, cartilage and the cornea. The need for organ transplantation in the US and in the world as a whole has continued to rise in the recent past. Numbers of those needing OT in the USA, and in the world in general have continued to rise, even exceeding the available donors for this procedure. The shortage is so massive such that, approximately 20 OT patients die daily due to the afore-mentioned shortage. Statistics have revealed that over 4000 people register to undergo the procedure every month. Furthermore, about 80 people receive new organs every day in the US alone (Durrette, 2009). 1.2 Statement of the Problem For all its benefits and success, OT has received various criticisms and ethical concerns, which has reduced the number of people who are willing to donate organs. Various attitudes exist concerning the practice, and this is impacting negatively on the success rate of the procedure (Finn, 2010). Unless these are addressed, the bridge between organ donors and recipients will keep increasing. 1.3 Purpose of Study The purpose of the study is to determine the attitude and action of York University students with regard to medical transplant and organ donation. 1.4 General Objective The main objective of the study is to establish the ways in which York University students embrace Organ transplantation. 1.4.1 Specific Objectives 1) To investigate the incidence of OT among American University students 2) To establish the attitude and action of students in YU towards medical transplants and organ donations 3) To identify the ethical concerns of YU students towards OT 4) To identify countermeasures that can be put in place so that students in YU embrace and perceive OT positively 1.5 Research Questions 1) What is the incidence of OT among American University students 2) What are the attitudes and actions of students in YU towards medical transplants and organ donations 3) What are the ethical concerns of YU students towards OT 4) What countermeasures that can be put in place so that students in YU embrace and perceive OT positively 1.6 Significance of the Study It is important to know the attitudes, actions and ethical concerns that students of universities have towards OT since it is them that are the most qualified donors in OT procedures. Currently, the number of organ donors is not sufficient enough to match the demand, hence, health care practitioners need to understand the attitude, concerns and actions of potential donors like university students. 1.7 Limitations of the Study The study may face a number of limitations; there may be many errors in data analysis due to faulty equipment and errors in calculation which would lead to inaccurate results. Secondly, some respondents may give inaccurate responses, which would distort study findings. Other respondents may not be ready to share information due to personal reasons, thereby reducing the targeted study sample. Thirdly, language barrier and high illiteracy levels may impede noteworthy data collection. As a result of this, questionnaires and other forms of written materials will have to be administered to only the literate community members. 1.8 Scope of Study The investigation will concentrate on the attitudes, concerns and actions of students of York University towards Organ transplantation. The study will also focus on the prevalence of organ donation and transplantation among York University students. 1.9 Assumptions of the Study The study assumes that York University students are representative of all the qualified young men and women around the nation, who can be organ donors or even recipients. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Introduction This chapter offers an outline of organ donation, organ transplantation and the associated ethical concerns. These ideas will introduce key concepts and understandings that link to the purpose and field of research. 2.1 Organ Transplantation Organ transplantation is a noteworthy procedure as it promotes life and reduces morbidity and mortality. Therefore, medical experts have continued urging people to consider this procedure regardless of the abundance of money required. However, money is not the greatest issue here. The greatest issue in OT is to get a qualified and willing donor. It is not many who will agree to donate one of their kidneys for example. Normally, there is no age limit on who qualifies to be an organ donor. Even a newborn can be an organ donor! However, for donors younger than 18 years, there should be the approval of parents and guardians. For those over this age, it is necessary to sign a donor card. However, there are people who do not qualify to be organ donors regardless of their age. These are; HIV victims, people with brain cancer and people who suffer from severe current infections (lyons, 2009). 2.2 Ethical Concerns of Organ Transplantation OT is a procedure that reduces morbidity and mortality in affected people. Organs are transplanted because they have some pathological lesions or malfunctions which alter their normal functioning. For example the kidney is transplanted due to diabetes, the liver due to liver cirrhosis, the heart due to heart due to heart failure, the pancreas due to diabetes, the lung due to cystic fibrosis and intestines due to Crohn’s disease. However, success of organ transplantation varies among populations. The success of organ transplantation depends on the type of organ, the number of organs that are transplanted and the type of disease that led to the organ failure (Lyons, 2009). For all its advantages and positive impacts, OT is not embraced by all, and in some cases, the procedure may go wrong leading to fatalities. Organ rejection is a phenomenon that occurs in some cases whereby the donated organ is recognized as a foreign mass within the body of the recipient. This may lead to fatalities since an immune response is mounted by the immune cells. Besides, there are very many ethical issues of OT. For example, many argue that the procurement system needs to be made more efficient. Some have critiqued the principle of one paying for organs. This to some people is a way of selling one’s body, which is unethical. Besides, they also argue that transplants are not really worthy the high costs. Others have argued that alcoholics should not get liver transplants. The greatest of the challenges being faced is the procurement process. There are few donors and more potential organ recipients. However, what is required to guide this distribution? Due to the high costs of these organs, only the rich benefit. The ethical issue here is that a procedure as important as OT should not depend on one’s social status. Not many people also agree on the point of retrieving organs when someone is alive. The issue of consent also has brought about massive misunderstandings concerning OT. As a result of these ethical concerns, various attitudes exist concerning organ transplantations; while some may agree to the procedure, others oppose the idea considerably (Winters, 2008). CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 3.0 Introduction This section describes the research design that provides information regarding the population of the study, sample size and sampling procedure, instrumentation, data collection and data analysis techniques. 3.1 Research Design A descriptive research was adopted for the study. This is because it was important to gather facts rather than manipulating of variables on the subject matter. 3.2 Target Population The research targeted 40 students in York University. The students were chosen randomly so as to avoid bias. Questionnaires were distributed to each of these students so that responses would be gathered. 3.3 Variables addressed In addressing this case study, various methodologies were used to ensure this research project was a success. The study analyzed York University students with an aim of discovering how the students regard organ transplantation and its associated activities. The variables studied were; number of students who have been organ recipients, number of students who have been organ donors, number of students who support and embrace organ transplantation and ethical concerns surrounding organ transplantation. 3.4 Research Instruments The research project included both secondary and primary data collection methods in order to exhaust the available information. The project began by secondary data collection method. Secondary data collection commenced with a through literature analysis on various resources. Some of the literatures used included books, the Internet, journals, journal articles, personal experience, previous study articles and magazines. This was important as it helped in understanding various aspects about the research. The primary data method then followed after the collection of secondary data. The following three methods were used; the administration of questionnaires, group interviews, and one-on-one interviews. A number of questionnaires were designed and research assistants were hired to assist in the administration of questionnaires and filling in the case of illiterate community members. Community elders were asked questions in a one-to-one setting while the other community members on group interviews. Group interview is vital since it will help save time, which would have otherwise been wasted in interviewing every employee in the organization. Observation was also used to obtain data in this project. Certain information that may not need asking of questions for one to obtain information was recorded based on observation. Research assistants also took part in recording the information collected via observation. This proceeded concurrently with the administration of questionnaires thus saving cost and time used in the research project. 3.5 Data Analysis Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data guided by the objectives and research questions of the study. A combination of statistical analysis and philosophical approaches were used. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used to calculate the frequencies and percentages. Frequency tables, percentages and bar graphics were used to present the data collected. CHAPTER FOUR DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION 4.0 Introduction Data analysis is aimed at drawing varied conclusions from the data that has been collected. After this, the data is presented in a format that is easy to understand and interpret. 4.1 Sample Analysis Out of the thirty (40) questionnaires issued, 30 were received back. The analysis therefore focused on the thirty respondents who account for 75% of the total size. 4.2 Results Presentation. The results of the analyzed data are represented below according to the different data set collected through data collection instruments used. 4.3 Personal Details of the Respondents. 4.3.1 Gender From the information gathered, both female and Male YU students have at one time been donors of organs. However, the proportion of males was a bit higher than men. From the findings, the study established that the majority of respondents who said to have donated organs were males at 55%, while females were 45% of the respondents; hence, young males are the most organ donors in amongst students of York University. However, those who had never donated organs out of fear and lack of necessity asserted that it would be easier for them to donate to a relative or close associate than an outsider. 4.3.2 Age According to the findings, the majority of respondents are between 19-30 years as shown by 50% of the respondents, 30% are between 31-40 years, 20% are between 41-50 years while between the age of 50 years and above there was no respondent as shown by 0%. This shows that the greatest number of organ donors lies between 19 and 40 years in York University. 4.3.3 Effects of ethical issues on organ donation and transplantation On the extent of the agreement that organ transplantation has ethical concerns which discourages most people from donating organs, majority of respondents said yes- 75% while 25% disagreed with this statement. Social factors influence organ transplantation greatly On the extent of agreement with statement that social factors influence organ transplantation, the majority of respondents voted yes by 65% and only 35% no. Organ Transplantation is not an obligation, but a voluntary decision On the extent of agreement with the statement that organ transplantation is a personal decision and not an obligation using a rating of yes or no majority of the respondent were in agreement as shown by 77% yes and only 23% no. Those who agreed asserted that they would only donate organs to their close friends, associates and relatives. Organ Transplantations increase the quality of life and prolong life On the extent of agreement with statement that organ transplantation increase the quality of life and prolong life using a rating of yes or no, majority of the respondent were in agreement as shown by 89% yes and only 11% no. CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY OF FINDING CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.0 Introduction This chapter illustrates the summary of findings based on the analysis and interpretation of the previous chapter (four) to show the objective of the study. 5.1 Summary of the finding After the analysis was done, the researcher stated findings as follows: a) A fair proportion of students in York University have at one time been organ donors or recipients b) A majority of students are not willing to donate organs due to the ethical concerns of organ transplantation and due to the fear of losing organs c) It is easier for one to donate an organ to a relative than donate it to others d) Organ donation is a voluntary exercise which should not be forced down on people’s throats e) Organ donation is done due to the respect of human life; however, there are many ethical concerns that are hindering the sufficiency of the process. 5.3 Recommendations Based on the findings, the researcher recommends the following measures for consideration and implementations: a) The number of young people who are donating organs and tissues to others is still a far cry when compared to the people who need the organs. As a result of this, the relevant ministries and authorities need to pass round institutions of higher learning and urging young people on the benefits of donating organs to others; it is a way of respecting human life and prolonging it. b) Ethical concerns that are discouraging many people from donating organs need to be addressed so that they would be free to donate the organs References Ballard, C. (2009). Organ Transplants. New York: Gareth Stevens Pub. Durrett, D. (2009). Organ transplants. Michigan: Lucent Books. Eskin, R. A. (2008). Organ transplants: medical background and federal and state laws. Chicago: Illinois Legislative Research. Finn, R. (2010). Organ transplants: making the most of your gift of life. New York: OReilly. Hank Pizer. (2008). Organ transplants: a patients guide. Masachusetts: Harvard University Press. Kittredge, M. (2007). Organ Transplants. London: Chelsea House. Lyons, C. (2009). Organ transplants: the moral issues. New York: SCM Press. P, S. (2008). Organ Transplants: How To Boost Supply And Ensure Equitable Distribution Of Organs. New York: DIANE Publishing. Torr, J. D. (2009). Organ Transplants. New York: Greenhaven Press. Winters, A. (2008). Organ transplant: the debate over who, how, and why. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. . Read More