Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Voluntary Blood Donation in Individuals Attending and Donating at Blood Centre

Introduction: Voluntary blood donation is a crucial aspect of ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply for transfusion services. This study was conducted to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding voluntary blood donation and the associated socio-demographic factors among people attending and donating at a blood center. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 427 participants attending the Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion at a tertiary care hospital. Data was collected through a pre-validated structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using suitable descriptive and inferential statistics, and association was tested by chi-square test at p<0.05 significance. Results: Among 427 participants, 59.0% had good knowledge, and 73.5% had a positive attitude towards voluntary blood donation, but only 43.6% had ever donated blood. Good knowledge was significantly related to younger age, male gender, higher educational level, urban residence, and previous donation (p<0.05). Positive attitude was also significantly related to the aforementioned factors (p<0.05). Discussion: The findings of this study suggest that while knowledge and attitude towards voluntary blood donation were quite positive, the practice was relatively lower. Socio-demographic variables, pre-existing exposure to the concept have played an important role in shaping knowledge, attitude, and practice. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed satisfactory levels of knowledge (59.0%) and positive attitude (73.5%) towards voluntary blood donation, but the percentage of voluntary blood donors was lower (43.6%). Younger age, male, higher education, urban residence, were significant predictors for better knowledge, positive attitude, practice of voluntary blood donation. Key words: Voluntary blood donation, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Blood donors.