Abstract
The practice of blood donation and transfusion is life saving and in spite of extensive researches, an ideal blood substitute is yet to been found, therefore man will continue to depend on blood donated from fellow humans. The aim of the study is to assess public belief, attitude to and practices of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation among resident in Sokoto metropolis. This is a population-based descriptive cross-sectional study. Multistage sampling technique was applied to select the respondents. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Skewed quantitative variables were summarised using median and inter-quartile range and categorical variables using frequencies and percentages. Chi square test of association and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. Results were presented in simple tables the result shows that the respondents’ median age was 25 years, with interquartile range (IQR) of 21-29 years. Almost all (99%) reported that blood donation is not contrary to their religious belief, and it was described as a form of service to humanity by 98%. Although a large proportion (95%) expressed appropriate beliefs and attitude to non-remunerated blood donation, only 25% of the respondents had ever donated. Respondents’ gender (X<sup>2</sup> = 26.96, df = 1, <i>P</i> <0.001), marital status (Fischer test=8.36, <i>P</i> <0.01) and employment status (Fischer exact=13.77, <i>P</i> <0.006) showed statistically significant relationship with blood donation practice, but none of these factors did predict practice of voluntary blood donation. In conclusion, although large proportion demonstrated appropriate belief and attitude to voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, few ever donated blood. There is need to sensitize general public on its benefit to improve practice among general public in the metropolis.
Highlights
The practice of blood donation and transfusion is life saving and has enabled management of chronic ailments and conducting complex surgical procedures
Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health survey revealed that 25% of donated blood in public sector, is from commercial and 75% from family replacement donors while in private sector, 75% and 25% were commercial and family replacement donors respectively and voluntary donors were negligible in both sectors [3]
The study was conducted in Sokoto metropolis, which comprised of four Local Government Areas (LGA) with population size of 269,525 inhabitants
Summary
The practice of blood donation and transfusion is life saving and has enabled management of chronic ailments and conducting complex surgical procedures. An ideal blood substitute has not been found and man is still dependent on blood donated from fellow humans [1]. Donated blood come from either voluntary nonremunerated donors, commercial donors or family members. Unlike developed countries, developing countries significant percentage of blood for transfusion depend largely on family replacement and paid blood donors [2]. Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health survey revealed that 25% of donated blood in public sector, is from commercial and 75% from family replacement donors while in private sector, 75% and 25% were commercial and family replacement donors respectively and voluntary donors were negligible in both sectors [3]. A study by Al-Drees et al revealed that most of the blood donors are direct donors instead of volunteer donors, paid donors, or autologous donors while lot of
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