ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the opinion of Silesian Province citizens on living organ transplantation (Tx). METHODS: The materials in the study were the opinions of 1100 respondents selected from a representative group of adult citizens collected in 2002 using a public opinion poll. During the data collection a questionnaire interview was used, the result of which were subjected to a quantitative statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of respondents, 83.1% do but 11.0% do not accept living organ Tx. 92.1% would give his organ for Tx to a relative, 80.5%--a friend and 54.3%--a strange person. The most common motives of potential agreement for living organ donation are awareness of helping another person (43.6%) or a relative (27.0%) as well as conviction of safety of organ harvesting procedure (10.0%). The most common motives of concern are fear of losing one's health (40.1%), poor state of health (13.8%) and fear of organ harvesting (9.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Silesian Province citizens accept living organ Tx as a way of treatment of patients with end stage organ failure. The main motive of agreement for living organ donation is awareness of helping another person or a relative, and the most common motive of concern is fear of losing one's health.
