ATTITUDES OF TURKISH POPULATION LIVING IN BELGIUM TOWARDS EUTHANASIA

Year 2012, Volume: 26 Issue: 2, 52 - 55, 31.08.2012

Erdem Özkara

https://izlik.org/JA37TW55SS

Abstract

Objective:
Euthanasia is being discussed in
the world, but it has not been put
in the agenda of discussions in
Turkish population yet. Currently
it has become legal only in Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg.
The structure of the country and
attitudes of people living in that
country towards euthanasia are
effective on euthanasia regulations. From this point of view;
physicians, lawyers and public
attitudes to euthanasia are very
important. The aim of this study
is to reveal the attitudes of Turkish population living in Belgium
towards euthanasia.
Methods:
This is an observational-crosssectional study and included
220 Turkish people living in
Belgium. Data were collected
with a questionnaire composed
of 24 questions and obtained data
were analysed with SPSS 12.0.
Results:
The mean age of the participants
was 32.11±17.69 years. The mean
period of residence in Belgium
was 23.56±9.45 years. Thirteen
point seven percent had not
heard euthanasia yet and 17.5
% had met people demanding
euthanasia.
Conclusion:
The relation between culture – the
place of residence and attitudes
towards euthanasia is important
and should be a focus of interest
in forensic literature.

Keywords

euthanasia , assisted suicide , cultural characteristics

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