Abstract

Background: The knowledge about the transplantation of organs among
Poland's society is varied. One of the variables which differentiates the level of knowledge is age. A chance to increase the number of transplantations in Poland is a high level of society's knowledge, especially of the young ones who can take their decisions whether to agree to have organs removed post mortem, both in relation to themselves and their family members who did not manage to express that wish in time. The aim of this thesis: is to present the range and character of knowledge of the young people about transplantation of organs.
Material/Methods: The research was conducted in Feb 2009 among a group of 125 people aged 17 and 19 - the students of mechanical vocational school (62 persons) and the high school of general education (63 people). The method used was that of a diagnostic opinion poll. The research tool was the Questionnaire in an authorship version and also the test of their knowledge.
Results: Most of the people interviewed do not understand and cannot define a word "transplantation". Young people lack wider knowledge of organs and tissues which can serve as transplants. The main sources of knowledge for the young are the mass media, especially TV. Only 18% of all the young people obtained a satisfactory mark for the test of knowledge.
Conclusions: 1. Young peoples' knowledge is insufficient. 2. Young people point to the need of education on transplantation being carried out by the professionals.

Keywords: young people, Transplantation, Knowledge