An evaluation of the views of theology students regarding organ transplantation: A case study from malatya province

Aim: This research seeks to assess how undergraduate students in the Faculty of Theology comprehend and approach organ transplantation from a religious standpoint. Material and Method: The participants consisted of undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Theology at İnönü University. Of the approximately 1,300 students within the faculty, data were successfully collected from 513 individuals. The questionnaire—formulated by the researcher with guidance from subject-matter experts—was administered between May and August 2024. As the research was geographically confined to Malatya, efforts were made to include a substantial portion of the faculty's student population. Therefore, no sampling method was applied. Upon completion of data collection, analysis was carried out using tools such as Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Findings: The participants of the study were undergraduate students, 76% of whom were women (n = 389) and 24% men (n = 124). Only 19% of respondents believed that organ transplantation receives adequate attention in Turkey. While 78% expressed support for the establishment of a national organ bank, just 25% demonstrated adequate knowledge regarding organ donation and transplantation. Moreover, 16% of university students reported being informed about the religious aspects of organ transplantation, whereas this awareness dropped to 9% among students affiliated with Islamic non-governmental organizations. Regarding the fatwa issued by the Presidency of Religious Affairs, 63% of participants viewed it positively. However, only 7% were aware of similar supportive rulings from Iranian religious authorities and the widespread acceptance of organ transplantation in that context. Conclusion: Although students enrolled in the Faculty of Theology are generally aware of the fatwa released by Turkey's official religious authority, their familiarity with similar rulings from religious institutions in Iran remains limited. Additionally, the findings suggest that religious civil society organizations show minimal involvement in matters related to organ transplantation. The data further reveal that a significant number of students undergoing religious education do not possess adequate knowledge on the subject of organ donation and transplantation. Keyword: Organ Transplantation, Brain Death, Religion, and the High Council of Religious Affairs