Patterns, knowledge, attitudes and factors associated with blood donation among Faculty of Health- Care Sciences Undergraduates

Abstract

Blood donation is a vital practice in ensuring safe and adequate supply of blood. It enables blood transfusion activities to be carried out without interruption in order to ensure adequate improved patient survival in the instances such as surgery, trauma and cancer. In Sri Lanka, blood donation is carried out through 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donors. As there is a global decline of voluntary non-remunerated blood donors, this study was carried out to identify the potential challenges and to suggest solutions to ensure voluntary blood donation. Therefore, the present study assessed pattern, knowledge, attitudes on and factors associated with blood donation among the undergraduates of Faculty of Health -Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among the undergraduates of the faculty of health care sciences. A non-random voluntary sample method was used to select our study sample from the undergraduates of the Faculty of Health Care Sciences. Initially, the calculated sample size was 463, but it was decreased to 416 considering the non-responding participants. We were able to get the needed responses through an online self-administered questionnaire Data was analysed using SPSS software. Highest number of participants belong to the age category of 24 – 26. ( 55.39%) Majority in the study sample were Sinhalese (69.06%) and also the majority were Buddhists (64.26 %). Most of the participants had no income. (63.54%) Overall knowledge on blood donation was assessed and the majority (n = 212, 51%) had a good knowledge. A very good attitude was observed among the majority of the participants (76%, n= 320) towards blood donation. The present study revealed that there was statistically significant association between being a blood donor or a non-blood donor with the gender (p= 0.001) and media (p= 0.035). Also there was a significant association with factors such as altruism (p= 0.013), spiritual benefits (p= 0.018), peer pressure (p= 0.009), refreshments (p= 0.006), appreciations (p= 0.004) and to know the blood group (p= 0.006). Interestingly, availability related issues had a significant association. (p= 0.047) Difficulties in travelling (p= 0.018) was a significant associated accessibility related issue. Studies also revealed that the environment of the blood donation camp (p= 0.008) is a significant service quality related issue. Majority of the participants had poor overall knowledge on blood donation but had an overall positive attitude. Appreciations, availability related issues, media and gender are significantly associated factors in blood donors and non-blood donors. Therefore, it is essential to conduct periodic awareness programs to educate the young adults on this and inform about misconceptions and misbeliefs through the media. Media should be used to promote blood donation camps. Further studies should be carried out on availability related issues to suggest a solution.