A study of knowledge, attitudes and practices of voluntary blood donation among relatives of patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in North coastal Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Replacement blood donation by family members of patients provides more than 45% of blood collected in India. This increases the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. In our country where comprehensive laboratory testing is difficult, 100% non-remunerated voluntary blood donation is the safest method of blood collection.  Objective was to study the depth of knowledge of blood donation among the relatives of patients admitted in the hospital, to assess the attitude of the people towards blood donation, to study the practices of blood donation followed by the general community and to understand the myths associated with blood donation in the community.

Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out during the months of May and June 2015 at Anil Neerukonda Hospital, a tertiary care teaching hospital attached with NRI institute of Medical Sciences, Visakhapatnam. The subjects were selected by systematic random sampling from individuals aged between 18 and 60 years from attendants of patients admitted at the hospital. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from each participant on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices affecting voluntary blood donation.

Results: There is a deficit of knowledge with regards to need for blood transfusion, methods as well as risks of remunerated blood transfusion uniformly across all ages and both the genders. Though a majority of individuals were willing for voluntary blood donation, the fears for donation and ignorance of the procedure has been a deterrent.

Conclusions: Education and motivation by blood banks and health professionals can lead to increase in non-remunerated voluntary blood donations as a majority of individuals are willing for blood donation.