Journal of Community & Public Health Nursing
Open Access

A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood draw for transfusions. Blood donation refers to the process of collecting, testing, preparing, and storing blood and blood components. Donation may be whole blood or blood components specifically. There are three types of blood donation: voluntary or unpaid donations, family/ replacement donations, and paid donations.Today in the developed world, majority of blood donors are unpaid volunteers who donate blood for a community supply. In some countries, established supplies are limited and donors usually give blood when family or friends need a transfusion (directed donation). Many donors donate for several reasons, such as a form of charity, general awareness regarding the demand for blood, increased confidence in oneself, helping a personal friend/relative, and social pressure.

Despite the many reasons that people donate, not enough potential donors actively donate. In 2005, the World Health Assembly adopted 14 June as World Blood Donation Day, to thank blood donors across the world, encourage more people to donate blood and raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products [1]. In India donations are conducted by several organizations and hospitals by organizing blood donation camps. Donors can also visit blood banks in hospitals to donate blood or directly to a receiver.

Blood donation is highly effective and potentially life- saving treatment for many patients. Blood donations are an integral and essential part of health care system and without them many of the medical procedures could not take place. Blood donation refers to the process of collecting, testing, preparing, and storing blood and its components.

The types of blood donation are: Whole blood donation, Power Red donation, Platelet donation, Plasma donation. Globally, over 81 million donations of blood are collected annually, but only 45% of these are donated in developed and transitional countries, where 81% of the world's population lives. In low-income countries, up to 54% of blood transfusions are given to children under 5 years of age; whereas in high-income countries, the most frequently transfused patient group is over 60 years of age [2], accounting for up to 75% of all transfusions. In the present research study, the researcher carried out a comprehensive, extensive as well as systemic search of the studies and synthesized all the published literature available on the particular topic of interest.

Based on the objectives of study the literature is divided into 3 sections:

• Literature related to Blood Donation among general public.

• Literature related to knowledge regarding Blood Donation among General Public.

• Literature related to Attitude regarding Blood Donation among General Public.

Objective of the study

• To assess the level of knowledge regarding Blood Donation among general public

• To determine the attitude towards Blood donation among general public.

• To find association between selected demographic variables and knowledge regarding Blood Donation among general public.

• To find co-relation between Knowledge and Attitude regarding Blood Donation among general public.

Material and Methods

For the present study, the quantitative research approach was considered to be most appropriate to accomplish the objective. Since the present study was aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude regarding Blood Donation among general public. The population included was General public from waiting area, Diagnostic area and Blood Bank. The sample for the present study included 60 people with different age group. Sample technique was convenient sample technique. Reliability co-efficient was for the knowledge questionnaire was calculated using KR=20, the reliability co-efficient was r=0.71. The reliability of Attitude scale was done using Spilt –Half method. The reliability of tool was found to be 0.79. Hence the tool was found to be highly reliable. The conceptual framework used for the present study was Orem’s Self- Care Deficit model. The data were collected by using structured knowledge questionnaire and structured attitude scale on blood donation. Each correct answer was awarded a score of 1 and wrong answers 0. Likewise 1,2,3,4,5 was assigned for positive statements and reverse score of 5,4,3,2,1 was given for negative statements. Respondents who answered 3 were considered to be neutral. Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation Formula was used to establish the co relation of knowledge with attitude regarding blood donation.

Results

The results are discussed in the following sections.

Section -1: Findings related to Socio-Demographic Characteristics of General Public regarding Blood Donation.

The distribution of participants by their age, in which out of 60 samples, 11.66% (7) were of age group less than 20, 45% (27) were of age group 21 to 30 years, 23.33% (14) were of age group 31 to 40 and 20% (12) were above 40 years respectively. Out of 60 samples 51.66% (31) participants were Males, 48.34% (29) were Females and there were no transgender. The distribution of participants by their educational qualifications, 11.66% (7) were having qualification up to 10th standard, 26.66% (16) were10+2, 40% (24) were graduate, 18.33% (11) were professional graduate and 3.33% (2) illiterate.

The income distribution 28.33% (17) were having income less than 10,000, 33.33% (20) between 10,000 to 25,000 and 31.66% (19) between 25,000 to 50,000 and 6.66%( 4) had more than 50,000. According to their marital status, 46.66% (28) were unmarried, 53.34% (32) were married and there were no divorced and widow. Regarding the occupation, 15% (9) were having government job, 46.66% (28) were having private job, 11.66% (7) were self-employed and 26.66% (16) were unemployed. By their family type, 48% (29) were living in joint family, 47% (28) were living in nuclear family and 5% (3) were living in extended family. Around 63.34% (38) were having previous experience of blood donation whereas 36.66% (22) were not having any previous experience of blood donation.

Majority of subjects that is 60% (36) had previous knowledge about blood donation while 40% (24) didn’t have much knowledge. About 55%( 35) subjects were interested in donating blood while 45%( 27) showed no interest in blood donation.

Discussion

The discussions are presented in context to the objectives and findings of this study, and the findings revealed in other related research studies. This study reveal that of the 60 samples selected, 21.66% have good knowledge score, 76.67% have average knowledge score and 1.67% have poor knowledge score regarding blood donation and association between selected demographic variables and knowledge regarding blood donation among general public is present at p= 0.05 level of significance level and no other selected variables were significant at 0.05 level of significance. According to Chi- Square formula, the value between previous knowledge of general public and their knowledge scores was statically significant at 0.05 level (x2 = 12.01, p =5.99).The attitude distribution of the general public showed that majority of the sample that is 40% (24) had favourable attitude, 25% (15) had uncertain attitude and 35% (21) had unfavourable attitude regarding blood donation. According to Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation Formula there is a positive co-relation between knowledge and attitude regarding blood donation among general public at 0.05 level of significance.

Among the entire demographic variable there is association between previous knowledge and knowledge regarding blood donation indicating that people who had previous experience of blood donation were knowledgeable about the blood donation and its benefits.

Conclusion

The main aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding blood donation among general public and to find association between selected demographic variables and knowledge regarding blood donation and also to find co-relation between knowledge and attitude. Among 60 selected samples 21.66% (13) had good knowledge score, 76.67% (46) had average knowledge score regarding blood donation. The attitude distribution of the general public showed that majority of the samples that is 40% (24) had favourable attitude, 25% (15) had uncertain attitude and 35% (21) had unfavourable attitude regarding blood donation. Among all the demographic variables there is association between previous knowledge and knowledge regarding blood donation indicating that people who had previous experience of blood donation were knowledgeable about blood donation and its benefits.

Acknowledgement

Our sincere thanks to Prof. Feba Geevarghese, Principal, St. Stephen's Hospital College of Nursing, for her constant support, encouragement and providing us with the necessary platform to help complete this research study.

We would like to thank our study guide MS Mala, Assistant Professor for their patient guidance, encouragement and advice throughout this study.

We are obliged to Ms. Sheljy Shajan, Assistant Professor and Research Coordinator, St. Stephen's Hospital College of Nursing for her constant supervision in our study.

1. http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Blood+Donation+and+Registr
2. http://www.who.int/bloodsafety/publications/9789241599696_eng.pdf