Community-Based Blood Donation Program: Sustainability and Local Capacity Building among Youth in These Changing Times of Demand in the Global Health

Abstract

Blood is now essential for a widening repertoire of therapies and with this comes new forms of regulation and governmentality focused on the collection, use and storage of blood. However, sustainability of an adequate supply of blood has remained a challenge nationwide throughout the years. This study aims to assess the relationship between knowledge attitude and practice among young individuals, identify motivational factors to be included in future proposal attempts. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out at the locality of Brgy. Poblacion, Ayungon, Negros Oriental. A total of 76 respondents were recruited. Pretest questionnaires were used to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of voluntary blood donation. Responses were collated and analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and Microsoft Excel 2010. The association between knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) was tested using Chi-square Test of Independence. Results obtaining p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. More than half (48 of 76 or 63.16%) of the respondents displayed average knowledge, almost three fourths (55 of 76 or 72.37%) yielded positive attitude while 66 or 86.84% were more than willing to donate blood. However, poor act of volunteerism was observed with only 11 out of 76 or 14.47% had history of blood donation. Lack of awareness (50.00%), fear of needles (28.95%) and reserved to donate for family, relatives and friends (22.37%) were the top reasons for non-donation. In conclusion, respondents have good knowledge and a positive attitude towards donation however they felt comfortable to donate blood for family, relatives and friends. Increase awareness on existing blood donation programs’ incentives and benefits; and, conducting regular blood donation camps in rural setting may provide a solution for the persistent problem on limited supply of blood.