The Influence of Student-Based Factors on the Differences in Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Euthanasia Based on Biology Education

Abstract

Aminuddin Prahatama Putra, Huldani, Bayu Indra Sukmana, Rudi Fakhriadi, Fauziah, Harun Achmad

In medical settings, euthanasia is still a controversial practice that continues to elicit international debate. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of student-based factors on the differences in knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of euthanasia based on biology education in SMA Negeri 1 Banjarbaru and SMA IT Qhardan Hasana high schools. The three primary objectives of the study include to examine the influence of school origin on the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions towards Euthanasia; to examine the influence of parent education on the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions towards Euthanasia; and to examine the influence of parent work on the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions towards Euthanasia. Observational analytics and questionnaires were used for collecting data from students. A total of 186 students was sampled and used for the study. A chi-square test was used in the analysis of the collected data with a degree of confidence of 95%. The findings revealed that students had differences in knowledge (p = 0,0001) and attitudes (p = 0.02) regarding euthanasia in SMA Negeri 1 Banjarbaru and SMA IT Qhardan Hasana high schools. There were no differences in perceptions regarding Euthanasia between the sampled groups. Also, the study found that no differences in knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about euthanasia exist based on parental education and parental work. The study concludes that school origin, parental work, and parental education are important factors that influence students’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards euthanasia. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the biology education curriculum needs to be synchronized in high schools.