Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students of Poonch Medical College about blood donation.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was done using a 27-item, validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire involving undergraduate medical students from March to October 2018. Informed consent and ethical clearance were secured.ResultsA total of 318 undergraduate medical students (response rate of 63.6%) was included in this study. Most respondents knew the difference between whole blood and blood components (294; 92.5%) and they also believed that spreading knowledge of blood donation among the health workers is a necessity (306; 96.2%). There was a statistically significant correlation between knowledge and attitude (p .021). Overall knowledge was higher among the female students (p = .019).ConclusionThe study revealed an overall good level of knowledge and attitude among medical students. However, there are still areas of improvement such as blood donation and vaccination-related knowledge. The study also identified important facilitators and barriers to blood donation.
Highlights
Safe and effective blood transfusion is a vital component in improving health care delivery and preventing the spread of blood-borne diseases worldwide
Most respondents knew the difference between whole blood and blood components (294; 92.5%) and they believed that spreading knowledge of blood donation among the health workers is a necessity (306; 96.2%)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, for any country to meet the minimum demand for blood, the donation should be at least 1% of the population [3]
Summary
Safe and effective blood transfusion is a vital component in improving health care delivery and preventing the spread of blood-borne diseases worldwide. Blood scarcity is frequently encountered in hospitals and is due to an imbalance between the increasing demand for safe blood and blood products on the one hand and failure to organize regular blood supply due to misconceptions, perceived harms and risks, and a lack of motivation among potential donors [5]. Pakistan is among the countries where blood donation is still dependant mainly on the relatives of the patients and paid donors [6]. It is the goal of the WHO for all the countries to obtain all blood supplies from voluntary and unpaid donors by 2020 [7]
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