Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Associated Factors towards Voluntary Blood Donation among Regular Health Science Students of Samara University, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: In spite of, extensive efforts and a number of blood donation programs being organized worldwide, availability of adequate and safe blood still remains short to meet the increased demand in developing countries including Ethiopian. The major challenge was recruitment of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors. Literatures identified that many factors are responsible such as, lack of knowledge, negative attitudes, and inconvenience for facilities. Increase level of knowledge and positive attitude towards voluntary blood donation in young people is highest priority.Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional quantitative study was used to assess KAP and associated factors towards voluntary blood donation (VBD) among health science students of Samara University, Afar Northeast Ethiopia, using pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaire. Stratified sampling method was used and individual was selected by simple random sampling method. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors. Predictor variables with p-values up to 0.25 in bivariate regression were entered to multivariate regression and p-value <0.05 used as cut-off point for a variable to became independent predictor. Association b/n outcome and predictor variables were calculated by odds ratio and 95% CI. Finally, results were presented in texts, graphs and tables.Result: Out of total participants, 67% were males and mean age range, 21.29 ± 1.66 years. Of them, 54% (95% [CI]: 49.0%-59.0%) of participant had adequate knowledge regarding VBD. Being students in department of midwifery increased odds of level of knowledge on VBD [AOR (95%CI)=1.95(1.02, 3.7)]. Of total, students 65.8% (95% [CI]: 61.0%-71.0%) had favorable attitude. Being students in department of midwifery and health officer increased odds of favorable attitude [AOR (95% CI)=1.943(1.066, 3.542) and 2.099(1.207, 3.649)] respectively. Less than one quarter, 83 (24.5%) (95% [CI]: 20.0%-29.0%) had ever donated blood. Being department of nursing increased odds of practice [AOR (95%CI)=1.881(1.002, 3.532)]. Conclusion:The level of knowledge on VBD was low while, significant number of students had unfavorable attitude towards VBD and there was poor practice. Therefore, it is better to incorporate short training course for health science students in the existing curriculum.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice and associated factors of blood donation among health care workers in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…On the contrary, in a study conducted in the democratic republic of Congo on assessment of KAP regarding blood donation, 61% did not know the practice of donating blood and the knowledge of blood donation and it was significantly associated with educational level of the respondents and their religion [24] which was not in our study case. Besides this, our study result was much higher than the report of 2015 WHO regional office for Africa average prevalence of adequate knowledge towards blood donation and the study conducted in Samara, Ethiopia [25, 26]. Unlike the study conducted in Addis Ababa, in this cross-sectional study, there was no significant statistical association of the level of knowledge with the sex of the respondent and other variables (Ambaye Dejen: Knowledge, attitude, practice and factors associated towards blood donation among health care workers in Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, unpublished).…”

Blood Donation Practice and Associated Factors in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…It is a lifesaving practice for people who face blood loss due to road traffic accidents, surgery, pregnancy complications, chemotherapy, and diseases like malaria, anemia, and intestinal parasites which increase the demand for blood [ 3 ]. Despite an extensive effort and many blood donation programs, still there is a shortage of safe blood to meet the demands in sub-Saharan counties due to an increased prevalence of anemia and malaria [ 4 , 5 ]. From an estimated 80,000,000 units of blood donated annually worldwide, only 38% is collected in the developing countries where over 80% of populations live [ 6 ].…”

<p>Voluntary Blood Donation Among Bahir Dar University Students: Application of Integrated Behavioral Model, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020</p>

“…8,[13][14][15][16] However, it was lower than the studies done in Addis Ababa University (23.4%), Ambo University (23.6%), Samara University, Ethiopia (24.5%), China (35.1%), Kampala (43%), India (31.5%) and Namibia (28%). 3,12,[17][18][19][20][21] This difference might be due to methodology and study population difference; on previous study participants were selected from health science students while the current study includes all faculties of natural and social studies. And also, it might be there is not much awareness regarding blood donation, sociocultural factors, differences in attitude and awareness or poor periodic sensitization for blood donation.…”