Analysis of social awareness of organ donation in the secondary school population in Galicia

The family refusal rate in Galicia is traditionally higher than that of Spain as a whole. To change this attitude it is important to work with the young population in school. We analyse the results of a program designed by the Transplant Coordination Office in Galicia to introduce organ donation to students over 14 years old. From 2007 until June 2013, 531 talks were given at schools in Galicia by hospital transplant coordinators together with organ recipients about all aspects of donation and transplantation. We analysed the answers to the five questions included in the questionnaire given out at the end of each talk. After the talks we observed a positive attitude towards donation, although the understanding of the concept of brain death shows room for improvement. We observed differences according to gender, age, and population of the municipality.