Open AccessAttitudes towards euthanasia and assisted suicide among Sudanese doctors
Author(s) -
A M Ahmed,
Matthew Kheir,
Abdul Rahman,
Nisar Ahmed,
Mustafa Abdalla
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/2001.7.3.551
Subject(s) - opposition (politics) , medicine , suicide prevention , family medicine , assisted suicide , psychology , psychiatry , poison control , medical emergency , law , political science , politics
An anonymous questionnaire was used to survey the attitudes of 382 doctors towards euthanasia and assisted suicide at Khartoum’s two main hospitals. Of the 382, 248 responded [65% response rate]. The mean age was 38 +/- 13.5 years; male: female ratio was 130: 118; 66% were house staff, 34% specialists; 92% Muslim, 8% Christian. The vast majority [85%] strongly opposed the practices, while 15% thought they should be performed only in certain situations, subject to strict safeguards. Reasons given for opposition included religious beliefs, inconsistency with the doctor’s role, presence of subtle pressures on patients, and potential for misuse among the physically and intellectually handicapped.