A comparative cross-sectional study of euthanasia knowledge, attitudes and acceptance among medical students at the University of Ibadan

Abstract

Euthanasia involves a physician actively or passively hastening death in chronically ill patients. Although legalised in some European countries, it remains illegal in Nigeria and much of Africa. Understanding medical students’ perspectives on this ethical issue is essential. This study compared the knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance of euthanasia between pre-clinical and clinical medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at the University of Ibadan after ethical approval from the UI/UCH Ethics Committee. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire. Attitudes were measured using the Attitudes Towards Euthanasia scale. Data were analysed with IBM SPSS using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and multiple linear regression to identify factors associated with attitude scores. Clinical students were significantly older (23.67 ± 2.41 years) than pre-clinical students (19.78 ± 2.73 years). Most respondents were male (62.8%), Christian (77.1%), and of Yoruba ethnicity (76.4%). Mean attitude scores did not differ significantly between pre-clinical and clinical medical students (17.25 ± 3.85 vs. 17.15 ± 4.02). Religiosity and knowledge were independently associated with attitudes. Acceptance was higher among clinical students (39.3%) than pre-clinical students (28.1%). Pain relief (77.6%) and respect for autonomy (55.8%) were the main reasons for support, while personal and religious beliefs (53.0%), professional duty (24.4%), and fear of abuse (18.4%) were common reasons for opposition. Personal belief systems influence ethical perspectives. Most students were more receptive to passive euthanasia than active euthanasia, highlighting the need for stronger undergraduate ethics education.