Caregivers and community perceptions of blood transfusion for children with severe anaemia in Uganda

Abstract

SUMMARY Objective To describe local perceptions of blood transfusion for children with severe anaemia in Uganda. Background Blood transfusion is a common emergency treatment for children with severe anaemia and saves millions of lives of African children. However, the perceptions of transfusion recipients have not been well studied. A better understanding of the perceived risk may improve transfusion care. Methods A qualitative study based on 16 in‐depth interviews of caregivers of transfused children, and six focus group discussions with community members was conducted in three regions of Uganda between October and November 2017. Results Caregivers of children and community members held blood transfusion in high regard and valued it as life‐saving. However, there were widespread perceived transfusion risks, including: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, too rapid blood infusion and blood incompatibility. Other concerns were: fatality, changes in behaviour, donor blood being ‘too strong’ and use of animal blood. In contrast, recent transfusion, older age, knowledge of HIV screening of blood for transfusion, faith in God and having a critically ill child were associated with less fear about transfusion. Respondents also emphasised challenges to transfusion services access including distance to hospitals, scarcity of blood and health workers' attitudes. Conclusion Perceptions of the community and caregivers of transfused children in Uganda about blood transfusion were complex: transfusion is considered life‐saving but there were strong perceived transfusion risks of HIV transmission and blood incompatibility. Addressing community perceptions and facilitating access to blood transfusion represent important strategies to improve paediatric transfusion care.

Knowledge Level, Attitude and Practice of Blood Transfusion among Caregivers attending the Paediatric Outpatient Clinic in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

“…[25][26][27] Lower percentages of 88.3% and 75.5% were however, reported in Ethiopia. [8,23] In addition, a qualitative study based on in depth interviews of caregivers of transfused children and focus group discussions with community members in Uganda [28] documented that care-givers of children and community members held blood transfusion in high regard and it was being valued as a life-saving procedure. More than 2/3 rd (70.6%) participants knew at least one indication of blood transfusion in the present study.…”

“…There was widespread perceived risk of blood transfusion including risk of HIV infection and blood incompatibilities among caregivers of children and community members in a qualitative study carried out in Uganda. [28] Interestingly, a cross-sectional descriptive study of health workers in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, [29] Nigeria showed that almost all the participants (95.7%) were aware of the risk of infection through blood transfusion.…”