Attitude and practices of female blood donors toward blood donation at Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the attitudes and behaviors of female blood donors at Al Baha University in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted in March 2022 among female blood donors at Al Baha University, Saudi Arabia. It included 147 female blood donors. The data were collected by interview questionnaire which was composed of demographic characteristics section and attitude and practice section. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 22. Results: The average age of female blood donors was 29.2±7.4 years, and 29.3% of them donated blood previously while 85.7% were willing to donate. About 36.1 perceived their health status as excellent and 74.1% believed that they were eligible for donation. We found that 66.0% of participants had neutral attitude, 28.6% had good attitude and 5.4% poor attitude toward blood donation. The practice of female students at Al Baha University was high since 83% of recruited participants donated blood. Moreover, the education, residence and source of information of blood donors were significantly associated with blood donors’ attitude, while practice of blood donation was significantly influenced by perceived healthy status of participants. There was a significant correlation between good attitude toward blood donation and practicing the donation among female blood donors at Al Baha University, Saudi Arabia. Conclusions: The female blood donors at Al Baha University had good or neutral attitude toward blood donation. Their attitude was significantly affected by education, residence and source of information, while the donation of blood was significantly influenced by perceived healthy status of participants. There was a significant correlation between good attitude toward blood donation and practicing the donation.