Consciousness of the vital role of transplantology among citizens of Polish small towns

Abstract

Transplantology in Poland has faced challenges in recent years, marked by a decline in organ donation rates. From 2016 to 2020, the organ donation ratio decreased from 14 to 10 donors per million inhabitants. Although a slight increase to 11.8 was observed in 2022, there remains a shortage in organ procurement. This study investigates society’s knowledge and attitudes towards organ donation, focusing on small towns where literature on transplantology is limited. A survey was conducted among 100 patients in Ryglice and Zalasowa, southeastern Poland. Analysis of demographic data revealed correlations between gender, education level, and certain aspects of transplantology knowledge. Women with higher education exhibited greater awareness and willingness to become living donors. However, the study found no correlation between age groups and transplantology knowledge. Despite technological advancements in transplantology, the study emphasizes the importance of health education, particularly in rural areas, to address the knowledge gap and foster a culture of organ donation. Strategies to increase awareness, especially among younger generations, and improve legislative measures are proposed. The study also highlights the potential of digital platforms for information dissemination and suggests statistical extrapolation to estimate the potential donor pool in rural areas. Overall, addressing these challenges is crucial for building a robust organ donation system and improving public health in Poland. Keywords: Tissue and Organ Procurement Living Donors, Poland, Health Education, Public Health.