| dc.description.abstract | The study was about the determinants of blood donation among the new and repeated blood donors in Abayiitababiri and Kitooro communities.
This specifically looked at four objectives, to determine the prevalence of blood donors, to determine the individual factors influencing blood donation, to establish the social demographic factors which influence blood donation and to establish the health system factors which influence blood donation.
The study was cross sectional involving the use of qualitative methods of data collection. Data was analyzed using a computers soft ware –SPSS version 17.0 and the findings presented using charts, figures and tables. Taro Yamane formula (1994) was used for sample size determination, which comprised of 214 respondents.
Pearson’s chi-square test was used to determine the level of association among the factors. The study showed that out of the 214 (100%) respondents, 140(65%) were regular donors while 74 (35%) reported otherwise. A large proportion of respondents 87(41%) donated blood on an occasional basis, 55(26%) were first time donors and 72 (33%) donated more often.
The majority of the respondents were females 115(53.7%) while 99(46.3%) were males and 42.5 of the respondents attained tertiary level of education.
Most of the respondents 164(76.6) knew the definition of blood donation and had a reason to donate blood. 97(45.3%) knew who qualifies to donate blood, 121(56.5%) knew how often an individual should donate blood. Majority of the respondents 135(63.1%) knew where to go for blood donation 79(36.6%) had no idea.
134(62.6%) had knowledge on who is eligible to donate blood. 150(70.1%) were found to have a positive attitude towards blood donation.
In conclusion the study shows that although the proportion of the blood donors in the study area seem to be high, the number of those who reported to be non-donors was as well high compared to the need of blood in healthy facilities. According to the figures a small proportion donates blood on a regular basis and this may not meet the urgent need of blood.
The study therefore recommends more blood campaigns to sensitize the public and create awareness on the importance of blood donation, create more blood donation centers, recognizing blood donors’ efforts especially those who are known repeated blood donors through awarding medals and certificates and adequate mobilization of the communities. | en_US |
