Knowledge, attitudes and practice of people in Maiduguri, towards voluntary blood donation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Voluntary blood donation is an important component of medical therapy. Many avoidable deaths have occurred because blood or blood products needed to save these lives were not available. The need for blood keeps on increasing as reflected by increasing rate of road traffic accidents, complications of pregnancy and child birth, various anaemias and surgical emergencies. OBJECTIVE: To document views on blood donation METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study in which 80 structured questionnaires were administered to respondents. RESULTS: The study population comprised of 61 (76%) males and 19 (24%) females. The findings revealed that majority of respondents (57.5%) had enlightenment about blood donation; however only 28.7% had donated blood in the past. Most respondents (42.6%) never donated blood in the past due to the following reasons; 34(42.5) not called to do so, lack of awareness about voluntary blood donation 9 (11.3), fear of HIV screening 6 (7.5), poor nutrition 4 (5.0), ill-health 3(3.8) as well as cultural and religious taboos 6(7.5) against voluntary blood donation. Most respondents (61.17%) said that they could only donate blood either on an emergency basis or to a close relative/ friend if compelled to do so. A substantial proportion of respondents (77.5%) were aware of infections that are acquired through blood transfusion such as HIV (38.6%) and hepatitis B and C viruses (~26%). CONCLUSION: Although voluntary blood donation is an important component of medical therapy, very few respondents in the study had ever donated blood in the past and majority would consent to free blood donation only in case of emergency or as family replacement.