Knowledge and awareness on HIV/AIDS among blood donors: A Study at Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is the most devastating disease that mankind has ever faced. For being neighboring country of India, Bangladesh has been highly vulnerable to HIV infection. Though Bangladesh continues to maintain low HIV prevalence status, however the infection rate is on the rise at Rajshahi Division. Some studies have been carried out on the knowledge about HIV/AIDS among some risk groups, but studies on blood donor’s awareness about HIV/AIDS are rarely found. This study aims at investigating the knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS among the blood donors at Rajshahi Metropolitan of Bangladesh. In this study, primary data was used. Data reveals that, though about 89% blood donors knew it is transmitted through blood transfusion, only 1% of them had undertaken blood test before donation, which is alarming. The odds of having preliminary and preventive knowledge fell with the increase in age of the respondents. Besides these, blood donors who were educated and who were in service were found more aware about the HIV/AIDS than the others. Strict rules and regulations should be maintained regarding blood screening. Overall people should be encouraged to use condoms and abide by the religious rules to avoid HIV/AIDS infection. Both, Government and Non-Government organizations should augment their educational and focused group discussion (FGD) programs on HIV/AIDS knowledge. Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), blood donors, awareness, focused group discussion (FGD).