Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Blood Donation Among the Population of Nile Vocational Institute - Jinja.

Abstract

There are insufficient blood donations to meet the transfusion needs of the health facilities in Busoga region. It is therefore upon this background that the researcher set out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding blood donation amongst the population of Nile vocational institute 2016.

Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on staff and students of Nile vocational institute. Total of 110 respondents were randomly selected and questionnaires were distributed, both quantitative and qualitative data was collected. Data on demographics, knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation was analyzed.

The key findings of the study showed that majority of the respondents know what blood donation is, however they lack awareness of the basic blood donation facts like age at which one can donate blood and the amount of blood removed from the donor a big percentage (46%) could not explain what blood transfusion is.

It was noted that Majority of the respondents agree that blood donation is good and should be given by volunteers, however a big number of them have not donated in their life time (45.5%).

It was recommended that the general public should be sensitized about blood donation to create awareness. Secondary the study recommended accountability by the blood bank to the communities about how this blood is utilized in the hospitals. Thirdly the study also recommended the motivation of blood donors in order for them to donate regularly. Key words: blood, donor, donation, knowledge, attitude, practice.