Perception of Blood Donation among Medical and Pharmaceutical Science Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Abstract

Background: Safeblood is a vital component in improving healthcare globally and millions oflives are saved each year through blood donation. But most hospitals in thedeveloping countries face challenges of constant supply of blood to carry outdifferent life saving procedures that require blood, due to paucity of blooddonors. Many studies have been done on the perception of blood donation butonly a few have been on Medical and Pharmaceutical Students. Aim: To determinethe perception of blood donation among Medical and Pharmaceutical Students ofNnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi and Agulu Campuses respectively. Material andMethods: Stratified sampling technique was used to divide the students intostrata (200, 300, 400, 500, and 600), then simple random sampling was used toselect different respondents from each class and self-administeredquestionnaires were given to the respondents. Data was collected and results wereanalyzed. Results: 294 respondents, 147 medical students and 147 pharmaceuticalstudents participated in the study 141 (95.9%) of medical students and 137(93.2%) of pharmaceutical students had heard of blood donation. 139 (94.6%) ofmedical students and 140 (95.2%) of pharmaceutical students knew their bloodgroups. 59.5% of the respondents had donated blood. The commonest motivating factor towards blood donation is “to save afriend or family member”. Conclusion: The knowledge of the students regardingblood donation was high but the practice of blood donation was low.