Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Adult Population towards Blood Donation in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Mulugeta Melku,Mohamedamin Areba,Tadele Melak,Yakob Gebregziabher Tsegay,Betelihem Terefe,Elias Shiferaw,Fikir Asrie,Bamlaku Enawgaw

doi:10.1155/2016/7949862

Mulugeta Melku, Mohamedamin Areba + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7949862

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Abstract

Background. Though World Health Organization recommends 100% voluntary blood donation, the percentage of blood collected from voluntary blood donors and the average annual blood collection rate are extremely low in Ethiopia. The role of adults is crucial to meet the demand of safe blood. Thus, this study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of adult population towards blood donation in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Method. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 768 adults. Multistage sampling technique together with simple random and systematic random sampling technique was employed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and bivariate correlation analysis were done. Result. About 436 (56.8%), 630 (82%), and 141 (18.4%) study participants had adequate knowledge, good attitude, and experience of blood donation, respectively. Secondary and higher educational statuses were significantly associated with adequate knowledge towards blood donation. Participants who were protestant by religion were more likely to have good attitude towards blood donation. Age, self-perceived health status, and religion were significantly associated with blood donation practice. Conclusion. Knowledge and attitude towards blood donation are high. However, the level of practice is low. District and national blood banks and transfusion agency should design strategies that promote and motivate the communities to donate blood.

Highlights

Age, occupation, marital status, educational status, and self-perceived health status were significantly associated with adequate knowledge about blood donation, while, in multivariate logistic regression controlling confounders, secondary educational status (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.51, 3.44) and higher educational status (AOR = 2.88; 95% CI: 2.01, 4.12) were significantly associated with adequate knowledge towards blood donation (Table 5)
The result is higher than a study done in Jordan aimed at investigating knowledge and attitude of blood donors and barrier concerning blood donation among 500 blood donors which reported that 28.6% of them had adequate knowledge [14]
The result was higher than a study conducted in Democratic Republic of Congo among 416 participants to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the general population showing that only 183 (44.1%) of them responded that the importance of blood donation is to save life [15]

Summary

Introduction

Large volume of blood could be lost as a result of numerously varying serious conditions such as road traffic accidents, obstetric and gynecological hemorrhages, surgery, trauma, chemotherapy, and long-term therapies as well as anemia of medical or hematologic conditions or cancer. Because of these blood transfusion is considered as an integral and essential element of a health care system. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of adult population towards blood donation in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. About 436 (56.8%), 630 (82%), and 141 (18.4%) study participants had adequate knowledge, good attitude, and experience of blood donation, respectively. District and national blood banks and transfusion agency should design strategies that promote and motivate the communities to donate blood

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