Knowledge, attitude and practice of voluntary blood donation among physicians in a tertiary health facility of a developing country

Abstract

Aims: The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of voluntary blood donation among physician, to identify and recruit potential voluntary blood donors amongst them and to determine the association between blood donation and gender, duration of practice and sub-specialty of the physicians. Methods: This was a cross sectional qualitative study carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to 140 physicians in the tertiary health facility. Results: Most of the respondents (95.7%) were aware of the risk of transmission of infection by transfusion. The risk of transmission of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis was affirmed by 99.3%, 97.9%, 73.6% and 42.9% respectively. Fifty-eight (41.4%) physicians have donated blood in the past, with 33 (56.9%) donating less than once a year, 18 (31%) between 1–3 times a year and five (8.6%) more than thrice a year. Most (53.4%) donated voluntarily, 39.7% donated for friends and relatives, 3.4% for remuneration and 5.2% donated in order to know their HIV, HBV and HCV status. There was no significant association between gender, duration of medical practice, specialty of the physicians and the practice of blood donation as P values were 0.227, 0.613 and 0.844 respectively. Conclusions: Physicians have good knowledge of voluntary donation and a positive attitude towards donation but there were disparities in their practice of blood donation.