Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Body and organ donation are crucial for transplantation and medical education, yet donation rates in Türkiye remain low. This study aimed to explore public perceptions of donation, focusing on demographic factors, motivations, and barriers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2023 to May 2024 using snowball sampling. A total of 16,738 individuals (born 1945-2009) completed an online questionnaire that included demographic variables and 17 items on attitudes toward donation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square tests with effect size calculations. RESULTS: The sample was predominantly women (63.1%) and from Generation Z (70%). Overall, 58.8% of participants expressed willingness to donate organs, whereas 18.2% considered body donation. The most common motivator for organ donation was saving lives (74.7%), and the primary reason for body donation was contributing to medical education (67%). The main barriers were concern over bodily integrity for organ donation (41%) and discomfort with exposing the body for body donation (50.1%). Statistically significant associations were found between willingness to donate and variables such as gender, education, and generation (all p < 0.001), though effect sizes were small. Despite widespread recognition of the importance of donation, actual willingness, especially for body donation, remains limited. DISCUSSION: The results showed the need for targeted educational initiatives, clear communication of religious rulings, and institutional transparency to address misconceptions. Given the sampling method and participant profile, the results should be interpreted with caution and not generalized to the entire population.