Umbilical Cord Blood Donation and Banking: Awareness Among Pregnant Women, in Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) donation and banking is transforming transfusion medicine around the world. There is a dearth of data on awareness and perception of this practice among pregnant women in our setting. Objectives: We sought to determine the awareness of UCB donation and banking by pregnant women in Makurdi, North central, Nigeria. Methods: With the use of structured questionnaire, information on socio-demography, awareness of UCB donation and banking, and sources of information on UCB were collected from 302 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. Data generated was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19. Results: Majority of the respondents was aged 25-30 years (52.0%). They were predominantly Tiv (84.2%), Civil servants (45.3%), Christians (95.1%), and 62.4% had tertiary education. Nineteen percent of the women were aware of UCB donation and banking. The sources of information on UCB were hospital (30.2%), media (39.0%), friends, (24.0%), the internet (6.8%). Awareness of UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion was not influenced by socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. Conclusion: Awareness of UCB donation and banking by pregnant women in Makurdi is low. The major source of information on UCB was from the media. Public awareness programs will have to be instituted especially in the health facilities. These programs if properly implemented will improve the willingness of pregnant women to donate UCB and also enhance the acceptance of UCB as a treatment option.