Knowledge, attitudes and practices survey regarding voluntary blood donation of personnel at a secondary hospital in Paranaque City (Protacio Hospital)
Introduction: It has been a decade after the introduction of RA 7719. RA 7719 known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994 promotes voluntary donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood and to regulate blood banks. Its aim is to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act. It is expected that hospital personnel are amongst the leading promoters or supporters of this Act. As hospital personnel specially those belonging to the health care provider sector, it is one of our duties to help in the propagation of awareness among the general population regarding the importance of voluntary blood donartion.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding voluntary blood donation among personnel at a secondary hospital in Paranaque City (specifically Protacio Hospital), identify possible blood donors and determine association between blood donation with gender.
Methodology: This is a cross sectional study done to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices survey regarding voluntary blood donation among personnel at a secondary hospital in Paranaque City (Protacio Hospital). Selection of respondents for this study was through convenience sampling. It includes the medical personnel (physicians, nurses, medical technologists, radiation technologists, physical therapist) and non medical personnel (clerks, orderly and other employees). A validated KAP questionnaire on voluntary blood donation was used in this study. The questionnaire was authored by Dr. Nwogoh Benedict. Permission to use the questionnaire was asked and given thru electronic mail.
Statistical analysis: Responses were collated and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21. The results were presented in frequency tables. The association between blood donation practice and gender of respondents were tested using Chis square and Fisher’s test. P-values <0.05 were considered significant.
Results: KNOWLEDGE: Ninety-two questionnaires were distributed among all hospital personnel. A total of 75 respondents (81.5%) participated in this study with ages ranging from 20-64 (median age of 36). The respondents showed a good knowledge of the common blood groups and of their own blood group. Majority of the respondents (97.33%) are cognizant of the risk of transmission of infection by transfusion. All agreed that HIV is transmissible by blood transfusion. As to the frequency of blood donation, 48% answered every 3 months, 20% did not know, 14.66% monthly, 13.33% every 6 months, 4% annually. Forty-six respondents (61.33%) said persons under vulnerable groups should not donate. Regarding knowledge in volume of blood being collected during each donation, 66.66% answered less than 500ml, 17.33% 500-1000ml and 16% do not know. As to the duration of donation process, 45.33% answered less than 20 minutes, 32% 20-60 minutes, 22.66% had no knowledge of it. ATTITUDE: Sixty-five respondents (86.66%) stated that blood donation is good. Voluntary blood donors were approved as best source of blood by 38 respondents (50.66%). Forty-five respondents (60%) believe that nothing bad can happen to a blood donor while 25 (33.33%) believe something bad can happen. PRACTICE: Only 20 respondents (26.6%) have donated blood with 75% donating once a year and 25% 1-3 times a year.
Conclusion: In conclusion, respondents in our study have an adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards voluntary blood donation. However, these do not translate to good practice of voluntary blood donation as blood donation among our respondents is only 26.66%.
Recommendation: Further education regarding benefits of voluntary blood donation should be given to the general public especially among hospital personnel so as to achieve 100% voluntary blood donation not only locally but also globally.