ATTITUDES OF TURKISH POPULATION LIVING IN BELGIUM TOWARDS EUTHANASIA

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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