Determination of Attitudes and Knowledge Levels Toward Organ Donation: The Case of Amasya Province

Background/Aim: Organ donation is a life-saving intervention, yet donor registration remains limited in many settings, partly because of persistent knowledge gaps and attitudinal barriers. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes toward organ donation, and factors influencing these attitudes among individuals aged 18 years and older residing in the city center of Amasya, Türkiye. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 206 participants. The sample size was calculated using G*Power 3.1 for a one-sample t-test (α = 0.05, power = 80%, Cohen’s d = 0.2), yielding a minimum required sample size of 199. Data were collected between March 15, 2024, and April 15, 2024, via an online questionnaire using convenience sampling. The survey included a sociodemographic form, knowledge and general opinion items about organ donation, and the Organ Donation Attitude Scale (ODAS). Non-parametric statistical tests were used because continuous variables were not normally distributed. Results: The median age was 21 (18–61) years; 73.3% of participants were female, and 62.6% held a bachelor’s degree. The median number of correctly answered knowledge items was 5 (1–10). Median scores were 102.0 (20–120) for Humanitarian and Moral Convictions (HMC), 24.0 (10–52) for Fear of Medical Neglect (FMN), and 29.0 (10–52) for Fear of Bodily Mutilation (FBM). Only 5.8% of participants possessed an organ donor card. Participants who reported being positively influenced by media reports had significantly higher HMC scores (P = 0.009). Individuals who knew where to donate organs had significantly lower FBM scores (P = 0.023). Conclusion: Although participants demonstrated strong humanitarian and moral attitudes toward organ donation, these attitudes did not translate into actual donor registration. Educational interventions targeting misinformation and leveraging positive media influence may help improve donor registration rates, including among younger adults.