Abstract:

Several studies determine that nursing professionals and students have a lack of knowledge and disposition towards organ donation and transplantation (ODT) and, that affects their behavior, constituting one of the most important barriers in the donation process. Evidence recommends starting training programs in the early stages as undergraduate education.

The Transtheoretical Model (TTM), developed by Prochaska and DiClemente (1982), explains the spontaneous or induced behavioral change of individuals cyclically and based on various stages, change process, decisional balance (advantages and disadvantages), and self-efficacy. This model can be useful to modify the behavior of nursing students regarding organ donation.

Objective:
To evaluate an educational program on organ donation and transplantation for nursing students, taking into account the TTM of change, in order to improve behavior towards organ donation and transplantation.

Methods:
Both groups received the training contemplated in the curriculum (master class about ODT). The experimental group participated in a round table where the agents involved (nurse, transplant coordinator; relative of donor and transplant recipient) reported their experiences and debated with the students. Students were evaluated by an anonymous questionnaire that incorporated a section to evaluate the behavior towards the ODT, in which an item was included and depending on the chosen answer, the subject was located in one of the stages of the TTM of change (precontemplation, contemplation, termination, action, and maintenance).

Results:
There were statistically significant intragroup differences (EG1 pre-test: 10.52, SD= 3.203; follow-up: 12.00, SD=2.905) (EG2 pre-test: 10.30, SD=2.902; follow-up: 12.33, SD=2.202) and intergroups (EG1 follow-up y CG: t=2.054; p=0.044) (EG2 follow-up y CG: z=2.797; p=0.005). The willingness to donate, evaluated based on the principles of the TTM, showed relevant results. In the pre-test assessment, the majority of EG1 sample was in the contemplation phase. After the intervention, EG1 progressed in the stages of change in almost 70% of the students, as it happens in the follow-up, where 57.6% of the students continue to advance in the stages.

Conclusion:
The educational program based on the transtheoretical model has been showed effective, observing an improvement in the behavior of nursing students in the face of the ODT, and demonstrating that the behavior change is cyclical.

Keywords:

Organ donation, nursing students, transtheoretical model, behaviour, randomized controlled trial.