Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation among Medical Students of Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria

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Background: The need for blood is growing and its demand far exceeds the supply. The major source of safe blood is on the basis of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD), but the practice of VNRBD is very low probably because of poor knowledge and lack-lustre attitude towards it. This study determined the knowledge, attitude and practice of VNRBD among medical students of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional school-based study which employed a stratified sampling technique to select participants. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of VNRBD. This was analyzed using MS Excel while chi square and z-tests of significance were employed where appropriate. Results: Almost all the students (99.5%) knew the correct meaning of VNRBD, 61.1% said it was ideal and 53.1% noted it was the safest type of blood donation. About (93.5%) was willing to donate blood voluntarily without remuneration. Whereas 74.1% had ever donated blood, 71.4% actually did VNRBD. Also, significantly higher proportion of males than females had the correct attitude about VNRBD (Z=3.31; p<0.05). Clinical students had more correct knowledge about VNRBD, than their preclinical counterparts. (Z=3.54; p<0.05). More males (84.4%) than females (67.7%) had ever donated blood, (p<0.05), and done so on the basis of VNRBD (83% males vs 61.8% females) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although medical students of IMSU showed high level of knowledge and positive attitude towards VNRB donation, the practice among them remained sub-optimal and hence, needs to be promoted.