Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Voluntary Blood Donation among Healthcare Support Staff of a Tertiary Health Facility in Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Blood transfusion is a veritable intervention in many clinical situations. However, the provision of safe, readily available, affordable and adequate supply of blood and blood products is still a major public health challenge in developing countries like ours. Healthcare support staff are expected to be conversant with donor blood procurement processes and the challenges of blood supply, therefore should take the lead in forestalling the occurrence of blood supply deficits.

Aims: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of voluntary blood donation among non-physician healthcare workers.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo as part of the 2021 World Blood Donor Day Programme. A total of 120 Staff were recruited. Pre-tested questionnaire were used to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice of voluntary blood donation.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 36.9+9.8 years, range 18-58 years with females accounting for 51.7%. Sixty percent were married, 86.7% attained tertiary level of education and majority of the respondents (20.8%) were nurses. Most of the study participants had good knowledge and positive disposition towards blood donation. However, only 25.8% had donated blood in the past with 38.7% being voluntary. Male staff were more likely to donate (P = 0.001). There were no statistically significant associations between blood donation practice and marital status, level of education and professional status of the respondents (P values – 0.083, 0.557 and 0.05 respectively)

Conclusion: There is need for active education program to encourage the healthcare workers and the general populace to participate in voluntary blood donation.