Assessing Blood Donors' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Blood Donation - A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

<i>Introduction: </i>Blood donation is vital for saving lives in critical medical conditions, making it a global concern. Ensuring a stable blood supply is essential for emergency treatments, surgeries, and chronic disease therapies. Blood donors, including influential figures like imams, play a critical role in promoting and normalizing blood donation within communities. <i>Aim of the study: </i>The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of blood donors toward blood donation. <i>Methods: </i>This cross-sectional study at Imam Training Academy of the Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh, included 200 Imams aged 18 above. Conducted from February 2023 to January 2024, data on knowledge, attitudes, and practices were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS Version 26, considering a P-value of <0.05 as significant. Ethical clearance was obtained from the local ethical committee. <i>Result: </i>The study findings indicate that the majority (61.5%) of participants were aged between 20-29 years, with 19.5% aged 30-39 years. Awareness about blood donation was moderate, with 45% aware of their blood group and Rh factor. Most participants (83.5%) understood that receiving infected blood can transmit diseases, and 65% correctly identified the interval for safe blood donation. Knowledge of local blood transfusion centers beyond BSMMU was low at 36%. Attitudes toward blood donation were overwhelmingly positive, with high agreement that donation saves lives (96.5%) and is a moral activity (97.5%). The preference for voluntary non-remunerated donation was unanimous (98%). However, only 35% of respondents had donated blood at least once, with 33.5% donating voluntarily. <i>Conclusion:</i> The study found that blood donors had good knowledge and a positive attitude toward blood donation. However, most individuals were not donating blood regularly as volunteers.