Assessment of the knowledge about blood donation among medical students: Before and after implementing a designed teaching session about blood donation

Abstract

: Human blood is most important body fluid in saving lives .Evidence indicates that there is a shortage of blood and blood products in many countries. This study aimed at assessing knowledge towards blood donation and its associated factors. With focus on encouraging voluntary blood donation. That’s why stress should be given on voluntary, non - remunerated blood donation. This study aims to determine knowledge about voluntary blood donation, and the objective was to educate undergraduate students about voluntary blood donation. Undergraduates who expressed their consent for participation were enrolled in the study. A pre‑ tested, structured questionnaire was used as a study tool. Baseline information were collected, a brief interactive awareness session, addressing voluntary blood donation was organized for the participants and their willingness to donate blood was again noted at the conclusion of the session. A total of five hundred undergraduate medical students enrolled , out of which 270 (54%) were male and 230 (46%) female. The overall knowledge of voluntary blood donation increased from 67% to 89.90% after educational intervention. Undergraduate medical students had good baseline knowledge about blood donation and this further improved after blood donation educational intervention.