Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood transfusion in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Background and objectives Trinidad and Tobago is a developing country with a hospital‐based, replacement blood donation system, low annual donation rate and high frequency of donor transfusion transmissible infections. Previous studies suggest a need for more information to improve total donations and encourage conversion to voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation. The aim of this study was to investigate public knowledge and perceptions about receiving blood to derive information for designing a safe blood donation campaign. Materials and methods A cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based survey was administered to a non‐randomly selected sample of adults at seven health centres. Participants were surveyed for demographics, knowledge of the local transfusion service, confidence in safety checks and attitudes to blood receipt. Results Of 400 respondents, a substantial proportion (38·2%) was unaware of inadequate blood bank stock. Only 18·4% correctly identified the method of blood donor recruitment in the country. Only 1·2% of participants were able to identify all from a list of six scenarios, in which blood is transfused. Although 86% would accept transfusion, most (84%) of these had concerns about acquiring infections and hospital‐related activities. Young persons and females had higher risk perception (P = 0·026 and P = 0·041). There was a positive association between confidence in the safety of blood donation processes and willingness to accept transfusion. Conclusion A blood donor education programme should include all processes from donor recruitment to component administration to reduce the perceived risk of receiving blood in Trinidad and Tobago.

Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood donation and receipt in two high income Caribbean countries

“…In developed countries with VNRD‐based systems, high risk perception is associated with female gender, lower education, married status and no history of blood donation or receipt 16 . Similar studies in FRD‐based systems are rarer but risk perception was higher among older males in Saudi Arabia 37 and among young females in TTO 28 . The latter finding in TTO has been reinforced in this survey.…”

“…Another KAP study showed high risk perception regarding transfusion receipt that affected willingness to both donate and accept blood. The authors recommended inclusion of blood transfusion information in campaigns to promote voluntary nonremunerated blood donation 28 . The present study was conducted to reassess blood donation and transfusion knowledge, attitudes, and risk perception in TTO and investigate them in BAH for the first time.…”

Emotions and beliefs arising from replacement blood donation may hinder transitioning to exclusive voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation

“…Each credit could be converted to a 'chit' in the name of a patient of the donor's choice. An attempt to convert existing donors to VNRD failed in 2011 [12][13][14]. Although prohibited by law, the practice of secretly paying professional donors to pose as FRDs is long-standing and has become a subjective norm [15].…”