Contributions
Abstract: PB2540
Type: Publication Only
Background
There is currently a dire need for blood donors to meet the increasing demand for blood and blood products. Information on the perception and practice of blood donation among potential donors may help in designing policies for improved services in low income countries.
Aims
This study assesses the knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation among medical students in Nigeria.
Methods
A descriptive cross sectional study carried out among different classes of medical students at two medical schools in south-eastern Nigeria in 2017. The sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation were sought from of the respondents.
Results
The age range was 19–46 years (mean = 24.2±3.2) years with 169(43.7%) respondents having good knowledge and 37(9.6%) with poor knowledge of blood donation. There was a strong association between level of knowledge and respondents’ year of study (p = 0.001) but no significant association between knowledge and practice of blood donation (p = 0.23). The donation rate was found to be 31.0% whereas 267 (69.0%) respondents had never donated blood. While a tenth (10.3%) of the respondents are regular blood donors, less than one third (31%) had ever donated blood. Majority of both the donors (85%) and non-donors (92.1%) opined that blood donation should be voluntary and non-remunerated.
Conclusion
Nigerian medical students have fair knowledge but a favourable attitude toward blood donation. Policy makers in the health sector could utilize this interesting observation in designing strategies for improving the quantity and quality of blood donation in Nigeria.
Session topic: 32. Transfusion medicine
Keyword(s): Blood transfusion
Abstract: PB2540
Type: Publication Only
Background
There is currently a dire need for blood donors to meet the increasing demand for blood and blood products. Information on the perception and practice of blood donation among potential donors may help in designing policies for improved services in low income countries.
Aims
This study assesses the knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation among medical students in Nigeria.
Methods
A descriptive cross sectional study carried out among different classes of medical students at two medical schools in south-eastern Nigeria in 2017. The sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation were sought from of the respondents.
Results
The age range was 19–46 years (mean = 24.2±3.2) years with 169(43.7%) respondents having good knowledge and 37(9.6%) with poor knowledge of blood donation. There was a strong association between level of knowledge and respondents’ year of study (p = 0.001) but no significant association between knowledge and practice of blood donation (p = 0.23). The donation rate was found to be 31.0% whereas 267 (69.0%) respondents had never donated blood. While a tenth (10.3%) of the respondents are regular blood donors, less than one third (31%) had ever donated blood. Majority of both the donors (85%) and non-donors (92.1%) opined that blood donation should be voluntary and non-remunerated.
Conclusion
Nigerian medical students have fair knowledge but a favourable attitude toward blood donation. Policy makers in the health sector could utilize this interesting observation in designing strategies for improving the quantity and quality of blood donation in Nigeria.
Session topic: 32. Transfusion medicine
Keyword(s): Blood transfusion