Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science

Korean society of Biological Nursing Science (한국기초간호학회)
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Factors influencing nursing students' attitudes toward autopsies in South Korea: a cross-sectional descriptive study

한국 간호대학생의 부검에 대한 태도에 영향을 미치는 요인: 횡단적 조사연구

  • Seonmi Nho (Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency Criminal Division) ;
  • Hanna Choi (Department of Nursing Science, Nambu University)
  • Received : 2024.11.29
  • Accepted : 2025.01.20
  • Published : 2025.02.28
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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate nursing students' perceptions of and attitudes toward autopsies and to identify factors influencing their attitudes. Methods: This study was a descriptive survey, and the participants were 183 nursing students enrolled at Nambu University. Data were collected through an online survey conducted from September 2 to October 4, 2024 and analyzed using SPSS version 28.0, employing descriptive statistics, the t-test, one-way analysis of variance, the Scheffé test, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. Results: Nursing students' attitudes toward autopsies showed significant correlations with their awareness of autopsies (β = .29, p < .001), awareness of local installation of autopsy facilities (β = .16, p = .025), the perceived necessity of forensic medicine (forensic nursing) (β = .16, p = .028), and age (β = .12, p = .098), explaining a total of 17% of the variance. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need to develop and implement a systematic forensic education program to improve nursing students' perceptions of autopsies and facilitate informed decision-making.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors sincerely appreciate the participation of those who participated in this study.

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