Knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation and the role of religious beliefs among health sciences undergraduate students

Unveiling blood donation knowledge, attitude, and practices among 12,606 university students: a cross-sectional study across 16 countries

We assessed university students' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward blood donation and identified the factors that promote or hinder their willingness to donate. We employed a multicenter cross-sectional design, collecting data from August to October 2022 through self-administered questionnaires available in Arabic and English. Both online (Google Forms) and paper surveys were utilized. Data were analyzed using R Statistical Software (v4.1.3; R Core Team 2022). A total of 12,606 university students (7966 females and 4640 males) from 16 countries completed the questionnaire; of them, 28.5% had a good knowledge level regarding blood donation, and 22.7% had donated blood at least once. Students in health science colleges had significantly more awareness of blood donation (p-value < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in practice (p-value = 0.8). Barriers to donation included not being asked (37%), medical ineligibility (33%), fear of pain or infection (18%), concerns about negative health effects (18%), difficulty accessing donation centers (15%), and medical mistrust (14%). Individuals aged > 20 years had significantly higher odds of possessing a high knowledge level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.77, p < 0.001). Private and international university enrollment was associated with increased knowledge (aOR 1.19, p-value < 0.001 and aOR 1.44, p-value = 0.003), while non-health science college students had lower odds (aOR 0.36, p < 0.001). Regarding blood donation status, participants > 20 years old were more likely to donate (aOR 2.21, p < 0.001). Conversely, being female, having congenital or chronic diseases, and possessing low knowledge levels were associated with decreased odds of blood donation (all p < 0.05). University students show insufficient knowledge about blood donation, with health science students displaying higher awareness levels. Despite their positive attitudes, blood donation rates remain low across all disciplines. It is imperative to enhance education and accessibility to foster a culture of blood donation among students.

Factors influencing consumers' intention to donate blood: A South African perspective

The objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing consumer intention to donate blood in an emerging market setting. A quantitative research design was followed that entailed the collection of data from 308 non-donor respondents, using a self-administered online questionnaire. The conceptual model and hypotheses were analysed statistically, using SPSS to conduct reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that awareness of consequences, ascription of responsibility, and personal norms had a positive and significant influence on consumers' intention to donate blood. Ascription of responsibility was the largest influencer of personal norms towards blood donation.

Frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh blood group systems among blood donors at the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Center in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a retrospective cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

ABO and Rh blood group systems are the major factors affecting the blood transfusion safety. The frequency and distribution of these blood group systems vary worldwide. We aimed to determine the frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh blood group systems among first-time blood donors at the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Center in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional descriptive population-based study.

SETTING

Data on ABO and Rh blood group systems were obtained and analysed from the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Center among first-time blood donors.

PARTICIPANTS

There were 65 535 first-time blood donors aged 15-55 years who donated at the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Center from January 2017 to December 2019.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The percentage of ABO and Rh blood group systems among different categories of blood donors was calculated.

RESULTS

Retrospective data from Blood Establishment Computer System of 65 535 first-time blood donors were analysed in the present study. The mean age of the blood donors was 30.6±11.2 years (range: 15-55 years). The vast majority of the blood donors 84.2% (n=55 210) were men. Also, the majority 69.6% (n=45 595) were aged ≥35 years. Blood group O was the most common blood group which was found in over half 52.4% (n=34 333) of the blood donors and majority 95.3% (n=62 461) of the donors were Rh positive. Moreover, the majority 78.3% (n=51 336) were voluntary donors and the remaining 21.7% (n=14 199) were replacement donors.

CONCLUSION

Majority of the donors had blood group O and also the vast majority of the donors were Rh positive. Considering the large size of our study population, this has provided a more comprehensive information regarding the frequency and patterns of ABO and Rh blood group systems in Tanzania. The observed association of blood group A with one of the regions from which donors were coming from, is intriguing and further studies may confirm possible related genetic evolution.

Influence of risk perception on attitudes toward blood donation among Brazilian men who have sex with men who donated blood

BACKGROUND

We hypothesize that awareness of individuals' risk behaviors may influence aspects of attitude toward blood donation (i.e., intentions and self-efficacy). Investigating this association in the population of MSM was the objective of the present study.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study based on an open web survey. The online survey was developed and applied on the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) platform. The study's information, invitation to participate, and link to access the online survey were disseminated using social media. Analyses were performed using structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

A total of 764 young adults MSM participated, with the majority self-reporting as homosexual, single, in good health, and having completed higher education. A total of 297 (39.5%) reported having donated blood at least once in their lives. Among blood donors, 72.0% admitted to lying about their sexual behavior during the blood donation clinical screening interview; 81.0% did not believe that their behaviors put them at risk for HIV infection; 83.7% believed that their blood is safe enough to be transfused. Structural equation analysis provided evidence that the perception of being at risk for HIV and the perception of having non-safe blood to be transfused contributed to an attitude against future blood donation (explained variance 50%).

DISCUSSION

Attitude plays an important role in blood donation decision-making by young adults MSM. This is the first study to provide evidence that the self-perceptions of being at risk for HIV and having non-safe blood may deter MSM from blood donation.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards blood donation among residential students and teachers of religious institutions in Bangladesh – A cross-sectional study

The availability of voluntary nonremunerated blood donors is a major concern in low- and middle-income countries because there is a substantial scarcity of safe blood supply against the expected demand. This study explores the status of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding blood donation among students and teachers of residential religious academic institutions in Jamalpur district in Bangladesh. Religious institutions were selected through simple random sampling, and the cross-sectional survey included 512 participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05. Over 90% of the participants were students, non-smokers, and aged 18–30 years. The majority (92%) did not ever donate blood to anyone, yet over 42% wanted to be regular donors. More than 80% considered blood donation a moral responsibility and an Islamic act. The common reasons for not donating blood were lack of knowledge (40%), lack of opportunity (20%), thinking it was harmful to health (21%), fearing needles (16%), and no financial benefit (6%). Interestingly, more than 67% did not know their blood group, and about 61% of the respondents said they did not hear of or could not remember any blood donation program. The participants had poor knowledge of general eligibility criteria but an overall positive attitude towards blood donation. There was a weak positive correlation between knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Participants willing to donate blood to strangers were four times more likely to do so regularly. Those who considered blood donation a religious act and a moral responsibility were twice as likely to become regular blood donors. This study reveals that many potential donors are being neglected, although they may be a valuable resource in addressing the ongoing blood donation issue.

The Theory of Planned Behavior for the Improvement of the Delayed Blood Donation Cycle, Optimization of the Planning Behavior, and Donor Intention

The advances in the technology applied to the health field lead the medical system to be optimized and the medical equipment and drugs to be improved, and the benefits can be seen in the prolonged human lifetime. The increased age and the lifestyle, however, increase the demand of blood for medical procedures and to save lives. The average age of blood donors has gradually increased, the number of new blood donors has grown slowly, and the allocation of blood supply and inventory is complex and many times cannot be improved. The low increase in blood donor number is a concern that needs to be overcome. Here, the theory of planned behavior was used as a tool to analyze the motivation, intention, and behavior of blood donors. The theory of planned behavior was applied in the form of questionnaires to college students. The results indicated that participation on the research motivates and educates the participants to donate blood, encourages the behavior of relatives, and leads the participants to realize the altruistic and mutually beneficial outlook on blood donation. The results also indicated the awareness of the students with respect to the importance of blood donation and that it can be an important tool in order to educate and increase the young blood donor number.

Attitudes and knowledge in blood donation among nursing students: A cross-sectional study in Spain and Portugal

BACKGROUND

Blood donors are key in meeting the ever-increasing blood requirements worldwide. The Spanish and Portuguese donation systems are based on altruism and voluntariness. However, nursing students may not be fully aware of the importance of this social responsibility and their professional skills in this field.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify differences regarding attitudes towards and knowledge about blood donation among Spanish and Portuguese undergraduate Nursing students (1st to 8th semester), as well as to analyse how different variables account for them.

DESIGN

A multicentre cross-sectional study was carried out.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTINGS

The participants of the study were 1038 nursing students from four Schools of Nursing in two countries, Spain and Portugal.

METHODS

The web-based CADS-19 questionnaire to measure attitudes and knowledge was used during the academic years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Additionally, sociodemographic data were collected.

RESULTS

The mean knowledge score was 3.079 out of 10 (SD = 1.429). The level of knowledge differed significantly by gender, where females scored higher, along with older students and previous donors. The highest mean attitude score corresponded to the "external incentives" dimension, significant differences were found between countries. In barriers and incentives, some differences were found depending on gender or sexual orientation, among others, with slightly better attitudes in Spanish participants.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of knowledge was lower than expected, considering participants were nursing students. The attitude's comparative analysis between both countries showed significant differences, especially in the pretext dimension. As for greater donation rates found in Spanish students, nurse-led international partnerships could be designed to enhance health literacy and sensitivity among nursing undergraduates. Interventions should focus on specific theoretical and practical training programs and educative actions should contribute to a greater awareness, motivation, and sensitise students to blood donation.

Motivators, barriers and communication channels for blood donation in relation to students at a university in Spain

BACKGROUND

Targeting young people to donate blood is a particularly promising option. The aim of this work was to know the motivators, barriers and preferred communication channels for blood donation among university students, and to determine the factors that explain why donors give blood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire was distributed to 420 students (response rate: 88.3 %) attending the University of Huelva (Spain). Data were gathered on sociodemographic variables, blood donation history, motivators and barriers to donation, and communication channels. Non-parametric contrasts were used to determine possible differences in the sociodemographic characteristics or donation history, and logistic regression to determine the factors associated to donation.

RESULTS

67.38 % of the students surveyed were non-donors, 12.94 % were first-time donors, 11.05 % were infrequent donors and 8.63 % were frequent donors. "Solidarity" was the main motivator for donating blood (40 %). "Lack of information on where and how to give blood" was the main barrier for non-donors (26.4 %), with "medical reasons" cited by first-time donors (22.2 %). 93.8 % of donors wished to be notified about their next donation appointment. The majority of those surveyed preferred e-mail to receive alerts and information on donation campaigns. The factors that explained blood donation were over 26 years of age and place of residence.

CONCLUSION

The study identified differences in the motivators, barriers and choice of communication channel among the university students in terms of blood donation, and the factors that explain blood donation. This knowledge is a useful source of information when designing blood donation campaigns that target young people.

Blood Donation Practice among Undergraduate Students in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction:

Voluntary blood donation is a reliable source of increasing the demand for blood transfusion. Medical students are the potential pool of blood donors. This study aims to find the prevalence of blood donation practice among medical students of a medical college in Nepal.

Methods:

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a medical college of Nepal among students studying from the first year to final year MBBS. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (Ref no. 245). A stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data. A self-administered pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016.

Results:

The prevalence of blood donation practice among medical students of the medical college is 41 (22.20%) (17.35-27.05 at 95% Confidence Interval). The practice of blood donation is seen more among students of the final year 15 (35.71%) and the least among first year 3 (8.57%). Most of the donors, 24 (58.54%), have donated blood only once before. The most common reasons for donating and not donating blood before are ‘behavior of altruism’ 12 (29.27%) and ‘I am not fit/disapproved’ 44 (30.56%) respectively.

Conclusions:

This study shows less prevalence of blood donation practice among medical students. It points to the need for more extensive studies to explore the factors deterring medical students from donating blood. Definitive strategies are also needed to encourage medical students to increased voluntary participation in blood donation.